INTRODUCTION TO OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION



INTRODUCTION TO OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION

This program is designed to help the new employee gain an understanding of Custody Levels and Line Classes, and how these classifications impact an offender’s daily life in prison.

OBJECTIVE

Identify the six primary offender custody levels and briefly review how each relates to offender housing, job assignments, and supervision.

CUSTODY DESIGNATION

An offender is given a custody designation, which determines

• where and with whom he will live,

• how much supervision he will need, and

• what job he can be assigned to work.  

An offender’s custody level depends on

• his current institutional behavior,

• his previous institutional behavior,

• his current offense, and

• length of his sentence.

If he violates rules, he will be placed in a more restrictive custody level.

Maximum Custody, Special Management or Ad Seg

Maximum Custody, Special Management, or Administrative Segregation (Ad Seg) refers to the offender who must be separated from the general population because

•

• He is dangerous to other offenders or staff, or

• is in danger from other offenders.

• He has been identified as a member of a Security Threat Groups (STGs) as designated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and may be given this custody level according to the State Classification Committee (SCC).

•

ThisThis offender leaves his cell for the most part, only for showers and limited recreation. The offender assigned to Administrative Segregation in Expansion Cellblocks (“High Security”) does not leave his cell to shower due to the physical configuration of the cell.

General Population Level 5 (G5) or High-Risk

G5 or High Risk custody refers to offenders who have assaultive behaviors or extensive disciplinary records.

• (Housing) – must be housed in a cell specifically designated for housing only G5 custody offenders

• (Jobs) – primarily assigned to field force. May not be assigned to maintenance worker, Support Service Inmates (SSI), any other clerk position, dock worker, or any job where the offender would have access to multiple areas of the facility.

• (Supervision) – direct, armed supervision on job assignments and activities outside the security perimeter; requires direct supervision inside the security perimeter. Certain positions with limited access to ingress/egress from the position (i.e. dishwasher) may be allowed frequent, indirect supervision with the Warden’s approval.

• (Escort) –

• May be escorted in numbers or 2 or 3 in handcuffs to the clinic at one time under direct supervision.

• (Meals) – Generally, G5s are fed in their cells.

• (Shower) – G5s in expansion cells or high security shower in their cells.

General Population Level 4 (G4) or Medium 2

This custody level means the offender must

• (Housing) – live in a cell, with few exceptions.

• (Job(s) & Supervision) – may work; indirect supervision inside the security perimeter generally assigned to field force outside the security fence under direct, armed supervision and secure jobs inside the perimeter as designated by the Warden. (G4s may NOT be assigned to maintenance work, clerk position, dock worker, or any job where the offender would have access to multiple areas of the unit.)

• (Meals) – G4s turnout with their own custody group for meals and

• (Shower) – showers.

General Population Level 3 (G3)

The G3 custody level offender

• (Housing) – may live in dorms or cells inside the main building of the unit. G3 offenders are ineligible to live in dorms outside the main building of a unit, inside the security fence.

• (Jobs) – may perform any job deemed appropriate by the unit administration. May not be assigned to maintenance work, clerk position, dock worker, or any job where the offender would have access to multiple areas of the unit.

• (Supervision) – may work on job assignments and activities

o outside the security perimeter under direct, armed supervision;

o inside the security perimeter indirect supervision.

• (Meals & Showers) – turn out with own custody group.

General Population Level 2 (G2) or Medium 1

This custody refers to the offender who

• (Housing) – may live in dorms or cells inside the perimeter fence.

• (Jobs & Supervision) – may work any job deemed appropriate by the unit administration. This offender is not permitted to perform maintenance work, clerk position, dock worker, or any job with access to multiple areas of the unit.

• (Meals & Showers) – may turn out for chow and showers with own custody group.

General Population Level 1 (G1) or Low-Risk

This custody level allows offenders to

• (Housing) – live in cells or dorms outside the perimeter fence, in accordance with guidelines.

• (Jobs & Supervision) – work outside the security fence with periodic unarmed supervision.

This custody level is only assigned to SAT II, Line Class I time-earning offenders.

INTER-UNIT/FACILITY TRANSFERS

Offenders do not have a right to choose their unit/facility of assignment. Inter-Unit/Facility transfers are based on departmental and offender needs.

Some offenders have problems on their unit/facility and want a transfer. These offenders should contact the TDCJ unit/facility staff for help. If further review is required, the SCC will be contacted.

Hardship transfer requests may be considered to accommodate immediate family members listed on the offender’s approved visitation list if medical documentation can be obtained.

GOOD CONDUCT TIME

Some offenders can shorten their time within the TDCJ by earning good conduct time. Good conduct time (GCT) is awarded based on an offender’s:

• Offense date

• Compliance with all rules and regulations

• Diligent participation in work, school, or treatment programs

“Good Time” is a privilege, not a right. Offenders must follow the rules in order to receive good conduct time. Some or all of the good conduct time awarded to an offender may be taken away for disciplinary infractions. Good time may not be given back to an offender once it has been taken away.

ADMINISTRATIVE SEGREGATION PLAN

Administrative Segregation (Ad Seg) is a non-punitive status involving separation of an offender from the general population for the purpose of maintaining safety, security and order.

Ad Seg consists of the following categories:

• Security Detention,

• Pre-hearing Detention,

• Protective Custody, and

• Temporary Detention between consecutive terms of Solitary Confinement.

SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

Solitary confinement is a segregated housing status, which may be imposed as the result of a major disciplinary hearing. Solitary confinement is ordinarily used when

• all other levels of discipline have been tried,

• where the safety of other offenders or staff is concerned, or

• when the serious nature of the offense makes it necessary.

Offenders in solitary will be allowed out of their cell only one time each day to shower. Offenders may be placed in solitary for up to 15 days. Consecutive terms will be separated by 72 hours.

MEDICAL & MENTAL HEALTH CLASSIFICATION

Offenders incarcerated within the TDCJ will be assessed for medical and/or mental impairments by qualified healthcare personnel who will assign each offender appropriate restrictions related to:

• housing,

• physical activities and work,

• disciplinary process,

• individual treatment plan, and

• transportation.

Restrictions will be assigned and entered on the Health Summary for Classification (HSM-18) screen.

HEALTH CLASSIFICATION “HEALTH SUMMARY”

The purpose of the “Health Summary” form is to provide medical and mental health information for each offender to assist the Unit Classification Committee (UCC) in making appropriate assignments.

SUMMARY

You have identified the six primary offender custody levels and briefly reviewed how each relates to offender housing, job assignments, and supervision.

Custody levels depend on the offender’s current behavior, previous behavior, current offense, and length of sentence. Offenders do not have a right to choose their unit of assignment.

Good Conduct Time is a privilege and not a right. By law, it applies ONLY to an offender’s eligibility for parole or mandatory supervision release.

All offenders are assessed for medical and mental health impairments by qualified health care personnel who will assign each offender appropriate restrictions such as: basic housing, bunk assignment, row assignments, work assignments, and transportation restrictions.

Revised 2012

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