NCJ Number
52528
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION, HOW IT FUNCTIONS, THE TASKS OF THE CLASSIFICATION OFFICER, AND RECLASSIFICATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS IS THE DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES TO IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS THAT INTERFERE WITH THE SUBJECT'S DEVELOPMENT OF LAW-ABIDING BEHAVIOR. CLASSIFICATION IS DISCUSSED AS A TEAM PROCESS WHICH INVOLVES REPRESENTATIVES OF EVERY PROFESSIONAL AREA THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO DIAGNOSIS AND PROGRAM PLANNING. IF CLASSIFICATION IS TO SERVE ITS INTENDED GOALS, ALL ASPECTS OF THE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM MUST FLOW FROM THE OFFENDER NEEDS REVEALED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS. SECURITY CONCERNS ARE TO BE SERVED IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSIS. THE CLASSIFICATION OFFICER IS CENTRAL TO THE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS, SINCE HE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INITIATING THE PROCESS AND MONITORING ITS EFFECTIVENESS FOR INDIVIDUAL OFFENDERS. AS SOON AS AN OFFENDER IS ADMITTED AND REGISTERED, THE CLASSIFICATION OFFICER BEGINS GENERATING INFORMATION HIMSELF AND PLANS FOR THE OBTAINING OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFENDER FROM OTHER APPROPRIATE PERSONS AND AGENCIES. HE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVALUATING, INTERPRETING, ORGANIZING, PREPARING, AND UTILIZING ALL INFORMATION TOWARDS THE GOAL OF OFFENDER REHABILITATION. HE ALSO MANAGES THE OFFENDER'S TREATMENT PROGRAM, WORKING DIRECTLY WITH HIM AND BEING CONTINUOUSLY SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN HIS NEEDS FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES. THE BASIC CLASSIFICATION, TRAINING, AND TREATMENT DOCUMENTS WHICH MUST BE PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CLASSIFICATION OFFICER ARE LISTED. IT IS NOTED THAT RECLASSIFICATION CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE SCHEDULED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF THE LAST CLASSIFICATION BOARD DECISION. SITUATIONS OR CONDITIONS REQUIRING RECLASSIFICATION ARE INDICATED. (RCB)