SOP_NUMBER: 215.17
TITLE: Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services
REFERENCE_CODE: IID05-0001
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: 215 Policy-Transitional Center
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2020-12-21
WORD_COUNT: 1566
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106239
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.17/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes the requirement for Transitional Centers to provide comprehensive programs and services to residents, including counseling, case management, education, recreation, religious services, and volunteer-led activities. The Superintendent is responsible for ensuring these programs are designed to support personal growth, employment readiness, substance abuse monitoring, and successful reentry preparation. Programs must be scheduled during non-working hours to accommodate residents' full-time employment requirement.

KEY_TOPICS: transitional center programs, resident services, counseling and case management, education programs, GED preparation, recreation and leisure, religious services, employment readiness, reentry planning, substance abuse monitoring, volunteer services, case management, literacy programs, community resources

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|
|**Policy Number:** 215.17|**Effective Date:** 12/21/2020|**Page Number:** 1 of 6|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:** Residents shall receive programs and services at all
Transitional Centers (TCs). The Superintendent shall be responsible for the
establishment of all programs and services for center residents. These programs and
services shall include counseling/case management, employment, education,
community service, drug and alcohol surveillance, leaves/passes, and driver’s licenses.
Where needed, funds will be made available for purchasing community services to
supplement existing programs and services. Programs and Resident services shall be
presented for the purpose of:


A. Aiding in personal growth and development;

B. Overcoming problematic behaviors, particularly substance abuse and sexual

predation, and monitoring progress in this process;

C. Aiding in the adjustment to the TC;

D. Reinforcement of the importance of employment;

E. Planning for release; and

F. Teaching skills to enhance the resident's quality of life and success, to include basic

life skills information.

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

A. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 125-3-4, 125-3-6, 125-4-2-01, 125-4-6-01, and 125-4-7;

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 106.01, Purposes (Chaplaincy

Program); 106.04, Chaplaincy Services; 106.05, New Offender Orientation to
Religious Programs; 106.08, Islamic (Muslim) Guidelines; 106.09, Marriage
Procedures; 106.10, Communion Wine; 106.11, Religious Accommodation;
106.12, Wicca (Witchcraft) Guidelines; 106.13, Native American Guidelines;
107.01, Purpose and Objectives; 107.04, Risks and Needs Assessment; 107.05,


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|
|**Policy Number:** 215.17|**Effective Date:** 12/21/2020|**Page Number:** 2 of 6|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



Program Management; 108.01, Education Programs Administration; 108.02,
Program Services - Education Services; 108.03, Special Education; 108.04, GED
Testing Centers; 108.05, Post-Secondary Study; 108.08, Vocational Education;
109.01, Local Management of Volunteer Services; and 502.01, Recreation
Services; and

C. ACA Standard: 4-ACRS-5A-11, 4-ACRS-5A-12, and 4-ACRS-7D-26.

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

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

Due to the relatively short period of stay at a TC, programs and services shall be
designed to address the needs and problems of the resident population in a timeeffective manner. Program schedules shall recognize that the goal of TCs is full-time
employment. Thus, the great majority of services and programs shall be offered in the
non-working hours when residents are available.

A. Counseling and Case Management Services: Counseling and case management

services will be handled in accordance with applicable the Office of Reentry
Services policies.

B. All residents entering the TC will complete the TC Phase I Counseling Program.

C. Education: The TC shall establish an academic education program by using

community resources and/or volunteers such as the local adult education
coordinator or technical school staff to supplement existing programs and services
when a part-time or full-time education staff member is not available. The focus
of the education program should be on literacy, Adult Basic Education, and GED
preparation courses. Selection of residents to participate in the programs shall be
based on assessed need and availability and should be included in the program
plan. When appropriate, post-release plans shall include the continuation of
educational activities.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|
|**Policy Number:** 215.17|**Effective Date:** 12/21/2020|**Page Number:** 3 of 6|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



D. Recreation: A minimum of seven (7) hours per week, with a minimum of one (1)

hour each day, of leisure or recreation time shall be offered to each resident not
restricted from such activities by disciplinary process or medical considerations in
accordance with SOP 502.01, Recreational Services.


1. Activities may be structured or unstructured. Weather, staff availability and

other factors may be considered in determining recreational opportunities.


2. Residents shall not be given supervisory responsibility in recreation activities.

Activities involving extensive physical contact are to be avoided.

E. Religious Services: The Superintendent of each TC shall ensure that residents can

voluntarily practice their religious beliefs and to voluntarily attend religious
services in accordance with Chaplaincy policies. Residents eligible for work
release may be allowed to attend religious services at community churches,
temples, or other religious gatherings with the approval of the Superintendent.
Also, approved religious services and programs may be offered at the center.


1. All attendance by residents at such activities shall be on a strictly voluntary

basis.

2. The TC shall recognize, subject only to limitations necessary to maintain

facility order and security, the individual resident's right to adhere to the
requirements of the respective faiths, including access to religious
publications, to representatives of their faith, and to religious counseling.

3. TC maintenance residents shall have voluntary access to religious services and

counseling. Access shall be provided either by allowing religious leaders to
come onto TC property according to a previously arranged schedule, or by
transporting maintenance residents to a nearby state prison to attend religious
services and receive religious counseling.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|
|**Policy Number:** 215.17|**Effective Date:** 12/21/2020|**Page Number:** 4 of 6|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



F. Volunteer Services: At the Superintendent's discretion, volunteers may be used to

provide adjustment, personal growth, and rehabilitative services to residents. The
assignment of volunteers shall be at the discretion of the Superintendent. SOP
109.01, Local Management of Volunteer Services provides guidance for
registering and managing volunteers.


1. An orientation program for all volunteers shall be conducted. This program

shall ensure knowledge of TC rules, regulations, expectations, and shall
identify the duties of the volunteer(s) and TC staff.

2. The Superintendent has the authority to curtail, postpone, or discontinue

involvement by any volunteer or group of volunteers.

G. Driver’s Licenses: All eligible residents are expected to obtain a valid Driver’s

License, if eligible, prior to release from all TCs. Each Superintendent shall have
the final approval of allowing a resident to obtain a Driver’s License.


1. The following reasons shall be accepted for residents not obtaining a license

while at the TC:


a. Fees exceed the resident’s financial capability to obtain a license;

b. The resident is under a statutorily mandated or court-ordered license

suspension or revocation;

c. Resident has a physical or mental impairment that would exclude him/her

from obtaining a license;


d. There are other obstacles, such as the lack of an acceptable vehicle, that are

insurmountable; or


e. The Resident is otherwise determined to be ineligible for a driver’s license

by the Department of Driver Services.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|
|**Policy Number:** 215.17|**Effective Date:** 12/21/2020|**Page Number:** 5 of 6|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



2. The following procedures shall be followed by all TCs:


a. During the initial interview, the assigned counselor determines the status

of the residents’ Driver’s License within thirty (30) days of arrival and
informs the Superintendent. If the resident has a valid license, this
information shall be documented, and no further action is needed;

b. TC staff must check SCRIBE Offender Docs - Reentry Docs and the

Reentry Checklist comments to see if there is a Driver’s License or state
ID scanned and filed in the Central Office Repository. If there is a
document that has been scanned into Reentry Docs, an email should be sent
[to gdc.repository@gdc.ga.gov requesting that the document be sent to the](mailto:gdc.repository@gdc.ga.gov)
facility;

c. Each TC shall establish a point of contact to monitor and record the results

of the Driver’s License program. This person shall be responsible for
reporting monthly statistics to the Superintendent, establishing a
relationship with the Department of Driver Services (DDS) and assisting
the residents through the process;

d. Residents who are eligible for work release may utilize activity passes to

visit local DDS offices for Driver’s License business;

e. Each Superintendent shall establish local procedures that determine mode

of transportation to and from DDS offices, DUI risk reduction, or driver
improvement class attendance, and other requirements;

f. Approved modes of vehicle testing shall be determined by the

Superintendent. For example, residents may utilize family vehicles,
vehicles provided by transportation companies, or in some cases, employer
vehicles. State Vehicles shall not be utilized for this purpose; and


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|**Policy Name:**Transitional Center Resident Programs and Services|
|**Policy Number:** 215.17|**Effective Date:** 12/21/2020|**Page Number:** 6 of 6|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division<br>(Transitional Center)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



g. TCs shall report monthly Driver’s License statistics on the Facility

Operations COMPSTAT Report.

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

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