NCJ Number
46485
Date Published
1976
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A HANDBOOK ON THE MEANING, ORGANIZATION, AND METHODS OF INMATE CLASSIFICATION, AIMED AT TREATMENT AND EVENTUAL REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY, IS PRESENTED FOR VIRGINIA STATE CORRECTIONAL STAFF MEMBERS.
Abstract
CLASSIFICATION IS CONCEIVED OF AS A METHOD OF POOLING ALL RELEVANT PSYCHOLOGICAL/PSYCHIATRIC, VOCATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, AND RECREATIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT AN OFFENDER NECESSARY FOR THE COORDINATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM. CLASSIFICATION AIDS IN THE PROPER SEGREGATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFENDERS, PERMITS ADEQUATE CUSTODIAL SUPERVISION AND CONTROL, IMPROVES DISCIPLINE AND INMATE PRODUCTIVITY, ALLOWS FOR CONTINUITY IN TRAINING AND TREATMENT, ENHANCES STAFF MORALE, IMPROVES INMATE ATTITUDES, AND REDUCES RECIDIVISM. EFFECTIVE CLASSIFICATION REQUIRES CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORT, LEADERSHIP, AND GUIDANCE AS WELL AS FACILITIES CONSISTENT WITH THE SIZE AND NATURE OF THE INMATE POPULATION. A STATEWIDE CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM PERMITS GREATER UNIFORMITY AMONG INSTITUTIONS AND CENTRALIZED RECORDKEEPING. BY CLASSIFYING THE INSTITUTIONS ACCORDING TO TYPE OF PRISON POPULATION SERVED, FUNCTIONAL AND COST-EFFICIENT DESIGNS ARE POSSIBLE, SECURITY IS INCREASED, AND FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS ARE NOT EXPOSED TO MORE EXPERIENCED CRIMINALS. ON THE BASIS OF MULTIPLE EVALUATIONS AT INTAKE, A SUMMARY, WHICH INCLUDES AN INMATE PROFILE, TEST AND INTERVIEW RESULTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS, IS TRANSMITTED TO THE INITIAL CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE. COMMITTEE MEMBERS DISCUSS EACH CASE FULLY, AND A TENTATIVE PROGRAM PLAN IS DEVELOPED. AT THIS POINT, THE INMATE MEETS WITH THE COMMITTEE, AND THE PLANNED PROGRAM IS EXPLAINED AND DISCUSSED. COMMITTEE DECISIONS RELATE TO THE INMATE'S CUSTODY LEVEL; WORK/VOCATIONAL TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS; AND MEDICAL, EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, RELIGIOUS, AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS. A SUMMARY STATEMENT BY THE COMMITTEE IS PART OF THE ADMISSION CLASSIFICATION AND INCLUDES CASE DESCRIPTION, FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INMATE'S CRIMINAL BEHAVIORS, HIS OR HER STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND MAJOR ASPECTS OF THE TREATMENT PROGRAM WITH THEIR RATIONALE. A LOCAL JAIL CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM WILL AID IN ALLEVIATING JAIL OVERCROWDING BY PERMITTING INITIAL EVALUATION THROUGH THE JAIL RATHER THAN THROUGH A RECEIVING UNIT. A RECLASSIFICATION HEARING IS TO BE HELD 90 DAYS FOLLOWING INITIAL CLASSIFICATION AND ONCE A YEAR OR AS NECESSARY IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR THEREAFTER. INMATE PROGRESS REPORTS WILL PRESENT INFORMATION RELEVANT TO RECLASSIFICATION. FINALLY, COORDINATION OF EFFORT BETWEEN THE INSTITUTION'S AND THE PAROLING AUTHORITY WILL BE ESSENTIAL. (JAP)