COBT 151: Offender Classification Process and Programs

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, classification procedures, custody levels, conditions of confinement, and institution programs from Correctional Officer Basic Training COBT 151.

Classification

The process which manages and coordinates offender assignments to custody levels and institutions.

Purpose of Classification

To facilitate the systematic process of coordinating offender assessments and custody assignment procedures to minimize community and institutional risk.

Initial Classification

A classification action completed when an offender is processed and evaluated at a diagnostic center.

Reclassification

Any classification action that reviews or modifies an offender's custody assignment.

Presentence Diagnostic

A pre- or post-conviction report (ordered by a judge) detailing an offender's personal history and developing resources to address these issues.

Pretrial Safekeeper

A prisoner who is awaiting charges, trial, or sentencing and is unable to be housed at a jail facility.

Judgment and Commitment Document

An official document which delivers or commits a person to institutions.

Legal Requirements of Judgment and Commitment

Requires the offender's name, age, crime of conviction, sentence length, designation as a felon or misdemeanor, the judge's signature, and official court seal.

Reception

A multi-task admission process that includes receiving a true copy of the Judgment & Commitment document, entering new admission data into the electronic record, conducting physical exams, fingerprinting, photographing, issuing institution clothing, searching and processing personal property, and conducting a complete search.

Orientation

A group-level admission process providing information about rules, penalties, disciplinary procedures, health services, grievances, diagnostic/classification process, custody levels, and available programs/work opportunities.

Diagnostic Process

Provides professional individual evaluations of the offender to identify security requirements, crime-related problems, correctional goals, and required correctional intervention.

Initiator

1st level of the custody review process; usually a case analyst or case manager.

Unit Classification Level

2nd level of the custody review process; a supervisor, or someone designated by the Warden.

Facility Classification Level

3rd level of the custody review process; the Warden or designee.

Division Classification Level

4th level of the custody review process; a division classification coordinator, or the manager of classification as designated by the Deputy Secretary of Institutions.

Close Custody

Custodial level for offenders who present the highest risk.

Minimum Custody

Custodial level for offenders who generally present the least risk.

Legal Placement: Misdemeanor

Newly admitted offenders convicted of a misdemeanor are placed in Minimum custody.

Legal Placement: Felon (less than 240 months)

Newly admitted felons with sentences less than 240 months are placed in Medium custody.

Legal Placement: Felon (equal to or greater than 240 months)

Newly admitted felons with sentences equal to or greater than 240 months are placed in Close custody.

Legal Placement: Death Sentence

Newly admitted offenders sentenced to death are placed in Close custody with a Death Row control status.

Restrictive Housing for Administrative Purposes (RHAP)

Short-term removal of an offender from the regular population.

Restrictive Housing for Disciplinary Purposes (RHDP)

Housing for offenders who are subject to punishment after being found guilty of a disciplinary offense.

Restrictive Housing for Control Purposes (RHCP)

Isolation of offenders due to disruptive behavior, assaultive actions, or threats to the safety of offenders or operational integrity of the facility.

High Security Maximum Control (HCON)

Condition for offenders who pose the most serious threat to the safety of staff, offenders, or operational integrity of the facility and require more security than can be afforded in RHCP.

Protective Control (PCON)

Assignment of offenders separate from the general offender population in order to protect the offender from self-injury or the threat of harm by other offenders.

Safekeeper (SKPR)

Condition of confinement status for offenders transferred from local jail facilities for pre-trial detention.

Death Row (DROW)

Condition of confinement status for offenders sentenced to Institutions under a death order commitment.

Categories of Institution Programs

Work, Educational, Counseling & Treatment, Institution Life, Transitional, and Chemical Dependency.

Purpose of Recreation

To meet the needs and interests of the offender population, with activities designed to promote physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.