SOP_NUMBER: 215.11
TITLE: Resident Rules and Regulations
REFERENCE_CODE: IID04-0002
DIVISION: Facilities Division (Transitional Centers)
TOPIC_AREA: 215 Policy-Transitional Center
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2020-04-02
WORD_COUNT: 1170
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106224
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.11/

SUMMARY:
This policy requires each Georgia Department of Corrections Transitional Center to develop and maintain a resident handbook containing facility-specific rules and regulations that govern resident behavior and conduct. All residents must receive the handbook during orientation (within 5 days), be offered continuous access to it, and understand its contents. The handbook must be consistent with GDC Standard Operating Procedures and include requirements for daily activities, visitation, contraband rules, discipline procedures, grievance procedures, and other facility operations.

KEY_TOPICS: resident handbook, transitional center rules, resident conduct, orientation, resident behavior, facility regulations, contraband, discipline procedures, grievance procedures, resident responsibilities, dress codes, phone use, visitation, housing rules, fire and safety procedures

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|
|**Policy Number:** 215.11|**Effective Date:** 4/2/2020|**Page Number:** 1 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Centers)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|


**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**







Each Superintendent of a Transitional Center (TC) shall develop in-house rules and
regulations which shall govern resident behavior and conduct, and provide staff
direction. These rules and regulations shall be compiled into a resident handbook.
Residents will be offered continuous access to the handbook. Restrictions prescribed
in Standard Operating Procedures may be expanded upon but not deleted.


**II.** **Authority:**

A. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 125-3-2-.02;

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 103.63 Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA), Title II, Provisions, 206.01 Offender Personal Property Standards,
206.02 Management of Offender Property or Contraband, 209.01 Offender
Discipline, 215.07 Resident Passes and Leaves, 215.13 Resident Hygiene,
Appearance, Hair Care, 215.15 Resident Legal Access, 227.01 Offender Access to
Telephones, 227.02 Statewide Grievance Procedure, 227.05 Visitation of
Offenders, and 227.06 Offender Receipt of Mail; and

C. ACA Standards: 4-ACRS-3A-02, 4-ACRS-3A-03, 4-ACRS-3A-04, 4-ACRS-3A
05, and 4-ACRS-7D-09.

**III.** **Definitions:** None.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**


A. Resident Handbook of Rules and Regulations:


1. A copy of each center's rules and regulations shall be provided to each

incoming resident during his or her orientation phase. Orientation shall be
completed within five (5) days and documented by a statement signed and
dated by the resident and staff. This handbook will be reviewed as part of the
orientation process. Each resident will have continuous access to a Resident
Handbook or will be personally issued a Resident Handbook. If issued, the
handbook will be returned at discharge or a $5.00 fee will be charged.

2. If a resident is illiterate or has a language problem, which can lead to resident

misunderstanding of facility rules and regulations, assistance shall be provided


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|
|**Policy Number:** 215.11|**Effective Date:** 4/2/2020|**Page Number:** 2 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Centers)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



to the resident either by staff or another qualified individual under the
supervision of a staff member per SOP 103.63 Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), Title II Provisions.

3. The center rules and regulations shall be consistent with Standard Operating

Procedures and with GDC Rules and Regulations. No deletions shall be made
from Standard Operating Procedures or GDC Rules and Regulations. The
center rules and regulations shall include, but are not limited to, the following:


a. Required daily activities and time schedules;


b. Sign in/sign out procedures;


c. Pass procedures;


d. Visitation procedures;

e. Use of vehicles;


f. Mail procedures;


g. Legal Access (refer to SOP 215.15);


h. Definition of contraband and unauthorized items, and right of staff to

search and inspect residents, rooms, and property. Personal property that is
authorized;

i. Resident responsibility for loss or damage of center property;


j. Dress codes and hygiene;


k. Resident responsibilities;


l. Resident personal finances policy and procedure to include paycheck

procedure, room and board, dependent support, court-ordered money, and
weekly allowance;


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|
|**Policy Number:** 215.11|**Effective Date:** 4/2/2020|**Page Number:** 3 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Centers)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



m. Use of telephones/cell phones;


n. Housekeeping duties;


o. Program participation;


p. Employment policy;


q. Resident identification;


r. Disciplinary procedures (SOP 209.01);


s. Prohibited behaviors;


t. Staff/resident relations;


u. Medical procedures;


v. Restrictions;


w. Grievance procedures;


x. Escape policy including the statement that escape is a felony under Georgia

law;

y. Drug and alcohol screening policy;


z. Fire and safety procedures including requirement that residents must be

familiar with evacuation procedures, be cooperative and participate in
drills;

aa. Community service requirement;


bb. Laundry procedures;


cc. In-house details;


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|
|**Policy Number:** 215.11|**Effective Date:** 4/2/2020|**Page Number:** 4 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Centers)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



dd. How to contact staff members for appointment;


ee. Release procedures; and


ff. Other center-specific rules and regulations.


3. Each center Superintendent shall submit a copy of changes made to his/her

center rules and regulations to the Statewide TC Coordinator for approval.

B. Other General Rules:


1. Under no circumstances shall a resident be allowed to supervise other residents

or be delegated authority of any kind.

2. Residents are required to treat all staff with courtesy and respect. Staff and

official visitors will always be addressed by the title: Mr. or Ms. Uniformed
officers will be addressed by official title. The terms, "yes sir," "no sir," "yes
ma'am," and "no ma'am," shall be required of residents when responding to
staff or official visitors.

3. Residents shall be required to follow staff directives as long as such directives

are legal and moral.

4. Residents shall be required to treat fellow residents and other persons with

courtesy and respect. Residents in transitional centers shall comply with all
applicable federal and state laws as well as rules and regulations of the
Department and the center. Each resident shall conduct himself or herself in a
manner that will enhance community approval and support as well as
contribute to the building of a positive relationship among residents.

C. Use of Landline/Cell Phones: Community facilities will provide residents access

to designated landline phones and approved cell phones as a privilege. Each center
will inform residents of specific guidelines governing phone use at the center.

1. Phone use (for non-legal access purposes) is a privilege that may be lost as a

result of a disciplinary violation.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|**Policy Name:** Resident Rules And Regulations|
|**Policy Number:** 215.11|**Effective Date:** 4/2/2020|**Page Number:** 5 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Centers)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



2. The center may establish time limitations on phone calls to insure equitable

access for all residents and the orderly operation of the center.

3. Resident phone calls will not be made at center expense unless specifically

approved by the Superintendent.

4. Residents will not directly receive incoming landline phone calls. Emergency

landline phone calls for residents will be screened by staff and acted upon
appropriately. Incoming phone calls from the resident's attorneys will be
arranged through the Superintendent's office.

D. Facility rules and regulations are reviewed at least annually and updated, if

necessary. A copy of each handbook and/or revision will be maintained at the
facility. The records may be stored as either a hard copy or in a computerized
version.

**V.** **Attachments:** None.


**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.