SOP_NUMBER: 222.01
TITLE: Inter-Institutional Transfer
REFERENCE_CODE: IIC05-0001
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: Court/Release/Transport/Transfer
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2023-10-24
WORD_COUNT: 2038
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105755
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/222.01/
SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for transferring offenders between GDC facilities for administrative, causal, medical, emergency, or programmatic reasons. Wardens and Superintendents must submit documented transfer recommendations through the Classification Committee to Offender Administration via SCRIBE. Transfers cannot be initiated solely due to writs or grievances, and certain transfer types have specific requirements regarding timing, documentation, and ADA compliance.
KEY_TOPICS: inter-institutional transfer, offender transfer, facility transfer, administrative transfer, causal transfer, medical transfer, emergency transfer, programmatic transfer, warden-to-warden transfer, sleeper status, classification committee, transfer request, SCRIBE, offender assignment, discipline documentation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Inter-Institutional Transfer Request
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/222.01-att-1/
2. Authorized Items Checklist To/From ASMP (Transient)
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/222.01-att-2/
========================================================================
FULL TEXT:
========================================================================
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**1 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**
Offenders may be transferred from one facility to another facility for Administrative,
Causal, Medical, Emergency, or Programmatic reasons. Proper recommendations
from the Warden/Superintendent documenting the need for the transfer shall be
forwarded to Offender Administration. No offender shall be transferred due to the
filing of writs and/or grievances.
**II.** **Authority:**
A. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
B. Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Board Rules: 125-2-4-.18, 125-3-2-.11
and 125-4-4-.09;
C. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s): 103.63 Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), Title II Provisions, 203.03 Incident Reporting, 203.04 NotificationClearance of Escapes, 206.02 Management of Offender Property and
Contraband, 209.01 Offender Discipline, 209.04 Use of Force & Restraint for
Offender Control, 222.10 Security Procedures During Transport of Offenders,
222.02 County Facility Placement, and 508.33 Transfer of Offenders with Serious
Mental Illness; and
D. ACA Standards: 5-ACI-6A-24, 5-ACI-6C-12, 5-ACI-6D-06, 4-ALDF-4D-27 and
4-ACRS-5A-06.
**III.** **Definitions:**
A. **Administrative Transfer Request** - A request to move an offender based upon
another move, such as Causal mentioned below, or as a result of population
redistribution or a change in missions of a facility, etc. Requests may also be based
upon a positive move for the offender for family or personal reasons such as a
move closer to where the offender’s family lives.
B. **Causal Transfer Request** - Requests that are based upon documented
negative/problem behavior of an offender for which the current facility of
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**2 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
assignment is not appropriate.
C. **Medical Transfer Request** - Requests that are based upon the need to transfer an
offender to another facility to receive appropriate medical or mental health services.
Other requests involve the movement of an offender in preparation for a medical
or mental health appointment and/or evaluation.
D. **Emergency Transfer Request** - Requests that are a result of a unique event or
unforeseen circumstances that necessitates immediate action.
E. **Programmatic Transfer Request** - Requests to move an offender to participate
in a program that is offered only at a facility other than the offender’s current
facility of assignment.
F. **Warden-to-Warden Transfer Request** - Requests generated by unique
circumstances involving an offender assigned to a facility that needs to be moved.
The warden at one facility can contact a warden at a near-by facility and agree to
an exchange. These moves are temporary, and the status of the offenders involved
are in Sleeper Status.
G. **Sleeper Status** - A status of an offender who is moved temporarily from one
facility to another, i.e., Warden-To-Warden Transfer. This status is strictly time
limited and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) hours. If such moves exceed the 24hour time limit, then the sending facility shall submit a formal transfer request.
H. **The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)** - Ensures that all individuals with
disabilities are guaranteed the same rights and privileges as those without
disabilities.
**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**
A. Transfer requests shall be submitted to the Classification Committee on
Attachment 1, Facility Transfer Recommendation. All recommendations to
Central Office shall be made electronically via SCRIBE in the assignments
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**3 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
module. Refer to Transfer Request Codes to locate appropriate transfer reason.
The following information should be included:
1. Pertinent information regarding the reason for transfer;
2. Present specific job and/or program assignment, i.e., truck driver (not just
county detail #4);
3. Verified secondary job skills, i.e., cook, plumber, etc.;
4. Any recent change of physical profile, i.e., broken nose 9/28/18, cleared to
return to work;
5. Known enemies, co-defendants, currently incarcerated family member and
family members employed with or contracted by GDC. (Name & GDC ID
number must be supplied); and
6. Current location of family members if closer to home is the objective.
B. Administrative transfers are initiated by the offender through the local
Classification Committee. The Classification Committee then notifies central
office Classification staff in Offender Administration of the request for transfer.
Such requests generally shall not be considered until an offender has been assigned
to an institution for twelve (12) months and has not been found guilty of a major
Disciplinary Report infraction during the preceding six (6) months.
C. Transfers for Cause shall be accompanied by a thorough documentation of problem
behavior. Documentation shall include a comprehensive narrative in a case note
summarizing such reports as Disciplinary Reports (SOP 209.01, Offender
Discipline), Use of Force Reports (SOP 209.04, Use of Force & Restraint for
Offender Control), Reports of Escape (SOP 203.04 Notification/Clearance of
Escape), and Incident Reports (SOP 203.03). This documentation shall be placed
in the offender’s institutional file for consideration by staff of the next facility of
assignment. Documentation in the institutional file shall also include any
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**4 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
information to benefit the receiving facility such as teletype, e-mail, or fax sent to
Central Office describing an incident or behavior. Requests should be submitted
via SCRIBE.
D. Medical Transfer Requests:
1. Medical Transfer Requests are to be submitted via SCRIBE and include a
medical description of the offender’s condition that necessitates a transfer (i.e.,
dental needs, dentures, fillings, laboratory results, special physical needs, etc.).
2. Procedures shall be adhered to regarding the transfer of medical offenders
during off hours and on weekends.
3. Any institution needing to transfer a state offender to Augusta State Medical
Prison (ASMP) for medical reasons shall contact the ASMP duty officer and
then ASMP control room officer and provide the following information:
a. Offenders name and identification number;
b. Physician’s name and telephone number; and
c. Name of institution where offender is presently located.
4. The originating institution shall await confirmation from the control room
officer at ASMP. When confirmation is received from ASMP, the sending
institution shall provide an estimated time of arrival and any special
information related to the offender such as security status, MH, HIV, etc. if
available.
5. It shall be the responsibility of the originating institution to request and receive
approval from the Regional Director for transporting the offender and notifying
the GDC Communications Center.
6. When offenders are transferred to ASMP, both the institutional file and
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**5 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
medical file of the offender are to accompany the offender.
7. Emergency Transfers may occur only on an "as needed" basis. The Sleeper
Status information should be immediately entered into SCRIBE and marked
urgent.
a. If any offender is transferred to ASMP in transient status, Attachment 2,
Authorized Items Checklist should be completed and accompany other
specified records.
b. Upon completion of the ASMP visit, the checklist should be completed and
returned to the originating facility along with the offender.
E. Programmatic Transfer involvement shall indicate the specific program requested
(i.e., academics/GED, vocational/carpentry, RSAT etc.) These requests shall be
submitted via SCRIBE. If an offender is participating in a program, activity, etc.,
this, along with the program end date, shall be noted in the text of the transfer
request.
F. Mental Health Transfers are outlined in SOP 508.33 Transfer of Offenders with
Serious Mental Illness.
G. Offenders eligible for transfer to a county facility are outlined in SOP 222.02
County Facility Placement.
H. Warden-to-Warden Transfer may occur only after the wardens involved have
discussed this transfer with their respective Regional Director. Once advised of
this request from the wardens, the Regional Director shall contact the Director of
Offender Administration to discuss and solicit guidance regarding the
appropriateness of this action and to determine if a permanent transfer is
appropriate and warranted.
I. Sleeper Status: Wardens who authorize transport of an offender(s) from one
facility to another for a short term stay because of disciplinary problems, medical
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**6 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
testing, mental health evaluations, etc. should contact the Director of Offender
Administration, or designee, to discuss, if the stay exceeds twenty-four (24) hours.
At this time a determination will be reached as to whether or not a permanent
transfer is warranted and appropriate.
J. When the offender is transferred/transported, the offender's institutional file,
medical file, mental health file, current medications, and personal property (see
SOP 206.02 Management of Offender Property and Contraband) shall accompany
the offender unless otherwise prohibited. Facility Transport Officers/CTU
Transport Officers shall be required to complete SOP 222.10, Attachment 5,
Offender File Transport Log, when transferring offenders. Confidentiality of the
medical file and mental health file shall be maintained. All offender files must be
concealed in a waterproof protector. The receiving facility cannot refuse to accept
an offender listed on a GDC Busing Order because a file is not present. Every effort
must be made to locate and produce the missing file(s) to the receiving facility
within 72 hours of the offender’s transfer.
K. Physical Limitation Transfers: Offenders who are qualified for accommodation as
defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be accommodated by
placing in housing that is most suited to their classification and physical and/or
mental impairments. Housing that is designed to accommodate persons with
disabilities will be utilized for those purposes. Offenders with need for special
accommodation will be given priority for the housing units that can accommodate
their needs. This type of transfer shall be recommended to the facility’s
Classification Committee by the facility medical administrator/ designee.
1. Offenders with physical disabilities shall be allowed to transfer with and keep
assistive devices on their person (i.e., hearing aids, medically prescribed dark
glasses, prescribed glasses, dentures, walking canes or braces, walkers,
wheelchairs, white canes, etc.). Profiles related to such assistive devices shall
be continued at the receiving facility unless and until they are deemed by
medical personnel to no longer be needed.
2. Offenders with physical disabilities who have been assigned wheelchairs or
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|**Policy Name:**Inter-Institutional Transfer|
|**Policy Number:**222.01|**Effective Date:**10/24/2023|**Page Number:**7 of 7|
|**Authority:**
Commissioner|**Originating Division:**
Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**
Level I: All Access|
other devices for mobility impairment will be transferred using accessible
vehicles. In particular, offenders who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices
will be given priority, on a case-by-case basis through Offender Administration,
for housing at the following facilities as defined by classification.
a. Segregation Bed Facilities - Johnson State Prison (Primary Male), Augusta
State Medical Prison, Autry State Prison, Coastal State Prison, and Pulaski
State Prison (Primary Female).
b. General Population Bed Facilities - Augusta State Medical Prison
(temporary housing), Autry State Prison, Coastal State Prison, Johnson
State Prison (Primary Male), and Pulaski State Prison (Primary Female).
L. For reasons dictated by good security practices, all transfers approved by Offender
Administration shall always be kept confidential and under no circumstances
shared with the offender or the offender’s contacts.
**V.** **Attachments:**
Attachment 1: Institutional Transfer Recommendation
Attachment 2: Authorized Items Checklist to/From ASMP (Transient)
**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:**
Upon completion, Attachments 1 and 2 of this SOP shall be placed in the offender’s
institutional file and shall be maintained according to the official records retention
schedule of that file.