Classification- CRIM 2010 PDF

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Download Classification- CRIM 2010 PDF

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Classification Prison System: one year or longer Classification - Process designed to evaluate and assess inmates needs and risk levels in order to allocate resource and minimize violence and escapes o In order to know:  what type of resources we have and how to spit up those resources among the individuals  How to prevent violence and potential escapes - Has moved from a more subjective process to a more objective process that creates more consistency o In order to have:  A systematic way of evaluating those risks so the prisons can be more effectively, efficiently, and safely - Supreme court decisions helped to establish guidelines and minimal standards o In order to have:  A minimal standard care of right; what kind of needs are incarcerated people kind of guaranteed to have met (medical care and treatment)  Establish guidelines of what prison has to provide (disabilities or any other medical needs) - Happens both externally and internally with facilities o This process often starts EXTERNALLY through part of the criminal justice process including sentencing and the presentencing investigation report  This will influence what facility someone might be placed in, what services will they have access to, what kind of services they will receive - Can be on ongoing process

Goals of Classification: 1. Protect the Public a. Facilities have different levels of security and surveillance i. There are different tools that are used to keep people in their cells and in the facility while others have more access b. Protects the public in ensuring that kind of more serious higher risk offenders are placed in facilities with more security that are more protected 2. Protect Inmates a. Protect individuals based on their needs (would not want to place rivalry gang members together as an example) b. Goal: to put not them in unsafe or risky situations where we would increase the violence in facilities 3. Control Inmate behavior a. The classification system determines what level of access or freedom this person may have i. ^ who can they interact with, what parts of the prison can they go to, what types of programs can they participate in ii. TO HELP MONITOR AND CONTROL BEHAVIOR: 1. We can often incentives to improve their behavior and punishments to help deter future negative behavior 4. Provide Planning and Accountability a. As a prison: i. it has to be run with a budget ii. limited resources that we have to decide where we would be placing staff iii. how many programs, how many people are we admitting to these programs iv. what type of medications or treatments do we need in the facility b. Goal: how to plan for the different needs of offenders once they’re in the facility Elements of Classification: Level of Security: determines what … - Type of physical barriers that are utilized - Typically, part of initial external classification Custody Level: - Degree of staff supervision that is needed for a given inmate - Typically, part of internal classification Classification Process • Initial Process (Mostly External) o Identifies level of security and needs o Typically, based on PSI • Internal o Determines level of custody and placement for housing and programs o Involves team to assess needs and manage programs and services

o Utilize screening and assessment tools to place offenders into appropriate programs based on medical and mental health needs, treatment for addiction, and other special needs o Determines privileges and restrictions • Reclassification o Can happen both internally and externally (typically internally) o Based on persons behavior and needs o May also be informed by needs and resources of facilities

Special Housing Units (SHU) Types - Protective custody (someone who is in danger or at risk while in the facility) o Supposed to grant some access to programs and services - Administrative segregation - Disciplinary segregation Problems - Often result in solitary confinement with little access to programs and services - Non-punitive use often not different from punitive use - Few rules and guidelines about the use of isolation - Significant impact on the inmates, staff, and overall prison and security...