SOP_NUMBER: 215.18
TITLE: Resident Classification
REFERENCE_CODE: IID05-0002
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 215 Policy-Transitional Center
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2007-12-15
WORD_COUNT: 1557
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106245
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.18/
SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for the Classification Committee at each Transitional Center to oversee resident classification and assignment decisions. The committee is responsible for security level assignments, program placement, employment, job search assistance, and handling administrative segregation hearings. All residents must complete an arrival briefing and 14-day orientation phase before initial classification, with work release residents classified at the end of orientation and maintenance residents within 30 days.
KEY_TOPICS: resident classification, classification committee, transitional center, security level assignment, resident assignment, orientation phase, initial classification, program assignment, employment, administrative segregation hearings, facility operations, reclassification, transfer requests, security classification
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Classification Committee Stamp (Attachment 1)
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.18-att-1/
2. Classification Committee Form (Attachment 2)
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.18-att-2/
3. Classification Appeal Form
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.18-att-3/
4. Special Parole Review Recommendation Form
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.18-att-4/
5. Initial File Review Form
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/215.18-att-5/
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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**
`FACILITY OPERATIONS`|**`Reference Number: `**
`IID05-0002`|**`Revises`**
**`Previous`**
**`Effective Date:`**
`5/01/05`|
|**`Subject:`**
`RESIDENT CLASSIFICATION`|||
|**`Authority:`**
`DONALD/DEPETRO`|**`Effective Date:`**
`12/15/07`|`Page`**`1`**` of`
**`7 `**|
```
I. POLICY:
Each Transitional Center shall establish and maintain a
Classification Committee. The committee shall be responsible
to the Superintendent for the oversight of resident
classification and assignment including security level,
resident employment and program assignments, job search,
transfer requests, administrative segregation hearings, and
other aspects of facility operations, as detailed in this SOP.
II. APPLICABILITY:
All Transitional Centers
III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:
A. GDC Rules:125-2-4-.03 Identification and Classification,
125-3-1-.02 Resident Security Classification
B. GDC SOPs: 215.18 Security Reclassification, 222.01 Inter Institutional Transfers, 508.32 Access to Services/Programs,
215.17 Treatment/Habilitation Planning
C. 107.04 Work Activity Performance Report
D. ACA Standards: 3-4288 Resident Appeal
IV. DEFINITIONS:
NONE
V. ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Classification Committee Stamp
Attachment 2 - Classification Committee Form
```
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Attachment 3 - Classification Appeal Form
Attachment 4 – Special Parole Review Recommendation Form
Attachment 5 – Initial File Review Form
VI. PROCEDURE:
A. COMMITTEE OPERATES AS A CENTRALIZED COORDINATING FUNCTION:
The Committee shall be responsible for all resident initial
assignments, reclassification actions, program assignments,
employment, and transfer requests. The Committee's decisions
are subject to the review and approval of the Superintendent.
B. The Classification Committee will develop and maintain an
Operations Manual, which is to include pertinent information
and requirements, as specified in this SOP.
1. Classification Committee Composition: The
Classification Committee membership, with appropriate
alternates, shall be designated in writing, by the
Superintendent. At a minimum, the committee will consist
of the following:
```
- `Chairperson:` `Assistant` `Superintendent` `or`
```
Superintendent’s designee
```
- `C/T` `Member:` `Selected` `based` `on`
```
experience/ability
```
- `Security Member: Chief of Security or designee`
```
Other staff, such as counselors, the Business
Manager, or medical personnel, may be assigned to
assist the Committee.
2. Classification Meetings: The Classification Committee
shall meet at least once per week, as scheduled by the
Committee Chairperson. The scheduling of Initial and
Reclassification meetings has been identified as a best
practice. The Appropriate stamp ( attachment #1 ) shall be
used to document Committee actions in each resident's
institutional file.
```
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C. CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE OPERATIONS: Each Transitional
Center shall implement a Classification and Assignment system
that ensures consistency of the classification process:
1. Arrival Briefing: Upon arrival at the Center,
residents shall attend an initial security briefing.
This briefing will include, but not be limited to,
security procedures, emergency procedures, right-to-know,
facility tour, etc. At this time all forms will be
signed, i.e.; Hazardous Chemical/Right to Know
acknowledgement, Acknowledgement of Center Rules and
Regulations, PREA, surrender of property in the event of
escape, paycheck/escape fee agreement, funds endorsement,
GDC interview request form, and Orientation Checklist. In
addition, newly assigned residents should be
checked/evaluated by medical staff with in 24 hours of
arrival.
2. File Review: The Superintendent or designee shall
appoint a counselor to conduct a review of the newly
assigned residents institutional file/SCRIBE case notes.
Findings should be noted on the Initial File Review Form
( attachment #5 ). Copies of this completed form should be
routed to the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent
and Chief of Security for review with 24 hours of
arrival.
3. Orientation Phase: During the orientation phase, staff
shall review each resident's history and observe his/her
behavior in preparation for making initial
recommendations. A counselor(s) shall be designated to
complete all necessary paperwork and case management
requirements. This Orientation Phase should be at a
minimum fourteen 14 days in length.
4. Initial Classification Committee : The Committee will
ensure that a thorough assessment of needs, risks,
capabilities, and all intake activities, are completed
before residents are scheduled for Initial
Classification. Work Release residents are classified at
the end of the Orientation Phase and long-term
maintenance residents within 30 days of arrival.
a. Preparation for Initial Classification: Each
newly admitted resident shall be evaluated in terms
```
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of security level, behavior history, substance abuse
history, medical profile, MH/MR needs, work history
and skills, number of adult incarcerations, gang
affiliation, and program needs/requirements.
1) Prior to Initial Classification, all phases
of intake processing must be completed. The
counselor assigned to the resident shall
evaluate the resident through a thorough file
review. The review will consist of TOPS
reports, SCRIBE case notes, program
requirements, initial interview and observation
of the resident's initial behavior and
adjustment to the facility. Any unusual
findings relating to the resident’s history
should be reported to the Superintendent
immediately. Counselors shall ensure that all
required activities and documents are
completed, prior to submitting the resident to
the Classification Committee. This includes
the completion of the Classification Form (see
Attachment 2), and any other documentation
required by facility management.
b. Initial Classification Committee
Responsibilities: The Classification Committee shall
conduct an initial review and classification of each
resident, with assignments made as appropriate. This
should occur at the end of the 30-day orientation
phase.
1) The Classification Form ( attachment #2 )
shall be used to structure the Committee's
review and interview. It is the responsibility
of the Committee to include on the form any
additional information or clarifications
brought forward during their interview and
questioning of the resident. Areas or issues
requiring follow-up by the counselor and/or
resident should be addressed and documented in
the resident's facility administrative
file/SCRIBE case notes.
```
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2) The Committee will review the status of
programming. In instances where residents are
received from other permanent facilities, the
Committee will determine if program information
is being tracked accurately. Also, in cases
where it can be confirmed that a resident was
participating in a group(s) at the sending
facility, the Committee should immediately re enroll the resident, if appropriate.
c. The Committee shall inform the resident his/her
program requirements, reinforcing the resident's
responsibility in addressing identified needs, as
opportunities are made available to them.
d. Resident Classification Attendance: All residents
shall be REQUIRED to attend Initial Classification.
e. Program Waiver: Residents will be advised, during
the initial classification meeting, that program
assignments are equivalent to work assignments and
can not be waived.
f. Work Activity Performance Report (WAPR): Requests
to remove residents from a permanent maintenance
detail or an OJT (On Job Training) program
assignment, must be supported by a completed Work
Activity Performance Report (WAPR). In instances
where the reason for requesting an assignment change
is unsatisfactory performance, the Committee should
verify that other appropriate action has been taken.
1) WAPR's will also be used for the following
reasons:
(a) When supervisors want to communicate
exceptionally good or poor performance to
a resident's counselor. This should be the
first intervention, prior to requesting
removal from an assignment.
(b) Counselors should request WAPR's to
gather current information necessary for
completing Early Release Considerations.
```
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2) WAPR's shall be placed in the resident
facility administrative files, along with any
documentation of counselor intervention.
3) Residents who display poor performance
during the orientation phase may be re-cycled
for any portion or all of the 30-day
orientation phase.
g. Early Release Consideration: In the event that a
resident has displayed exemplary conduct for an
extended period of time, the Superintendent may
recommend an Early Release Consideration to be
conducted. The assigned counselor shall be
responsible for gathering pertinent documentation
concerning the exemplary conduct. This
recommendation, ( attachment #4 ) once approved by the
Superintendent, will be forwarded to the Georgia
Board of Pardons and Paroles for an early release
consideration. This recommendation will only take
place when and if certain preliminary criteria are
met. Those criteria include:
1) This type of recommendation cannot be made
on the behalf of a resident who (a) was
convicted of a “Serious Violent Felony” as
defined in OCGA 17-10-6.1 and (b), has a
sentence of less than life.
2) A resident must be assigned to the work
release program a minimum of 90 days.
3) A resident who has not committed a sex
offense or a crime against children.
h. Documentation of Classification Committee
Actions: All Classification Committee actions shall
be documented in a written report maintained on
file. After each Classification meeting, the report
shall be forwarded, for review and signature to the
Chairperson, Chief of Security, Care and Treatment
and Superintendent.
```
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```
5. Reclassification: Special circumstances may require the
committee to conduct a “Reclassification of a Resident”.
These circumstances include but are not limited to:
a. Poor Job Performance
b. Addition sentence received from Court Appearance
c. Change in Medical Profile
d. Behavioral Issues
NOTE: In the event of a Reclassification, the
Classification Committee Form ( attachment #1 ) will
be used to document the classification action.
VII. RETENTION SCHEDULE:
Upon completion, attachments 1,2, 3 and 4 will be will be
placed in the resident institutional file and retained
according to the official retention schedule for that file.
```