OBJECTIVE CLASSIFICATION

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OBJECTIVE CLASSIFICATION

• ARs 503, 521 523

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Caseworker Duties

1. Classification Periodicals, changes, full-
   classification, intake and reception.
2. Parole Board Reports
3. Grievances or inmate Issues
4. Disciplinary or Statutory process and supporting
   report documentation
5. Offender Liaison and offender assistance
6. Level system review, implementation and a
   utilization for offender management
7. Assist officers with unit management.

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Classification Guidelines

• Caseworker Classification Guidelines include
• NDOC Administrative Regulations
• Facility Operational Procedures
• Nevada Revised Statutes
• (with emphasis on safety and security first)
• A caseworker must review, understand and utilize
  the NDOC Classification AR 500 series.
• A caseworker must review, understand and utilize
  AR 707 the Code of Discipline and AR 740 the
  Grievance Procedure.

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Caseworker Classification Guidelines ARs, OPs,
NRS and more

• Understanding Classification begins with
  understanding the legal guidelines and
  parameters, which are delegated by the Nevada
  Revised Statutes (NRS), Nevada Dept. of
  Corrections (NDOC) Administrative Regulations
  (AR), Facility Operational Procedures (OP) and
  NDOC Administrative Directives.
• The first Caseworker assignment is to read the
  Classification 500 series of the NDOC
  Administrative Regulations, which will assist the
  Caseworker with learning the guidelines and
  parameters utilized in the NDOC offender
  classification process.
• The second assignment is to read the
  Classification 500 series of Operational
  Procedures for the facility the CCS is currently
  assigned.

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Legal Guidelines Continued

• The next caseworker assignment is to read the
  State NRS section 209, to better understand the
  guidelines and the legal parameters for housing
  offender in the NDOC, as mandated by the state.
• Last, there are other Administrative Regulations
  and Operational Procedures that affect
  Classification and offender assignment. Reading
  the 700 series will assist in understanding the
  rules the inmates must adhere to on a daily
  basis. Emphasis should be on AR 707 the Code of
  Penal discipline and AR 740 the Grievance
  Process. The Caseworker should review the AR 800
  series to be aware of the offender program
  regulations.
• After review of these procedures the Caseworker
  should have questions for their Supervisor to
  ensure thorough understanding.

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Learning Objectives

• What is objective classification?
• What is the purpose of objective classification?
• Why is objective classification important?

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What is Objective Classification?

• Objective classification is the process used by
  NDOC to decide where an inmate belongs within the
  prison system
• Assigned Custody Custody given to the inmate by
  the institution or facility classification
  committee
• Computed Custody Custody level dictated by a
  numerical score
• Determined when an inmate falls within a
  specified score range or when a specific
  limitation exclusion is entered

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What is the purpose of objective classification?

• The purpose of objective classification is to
• Protect staff, inmates and the community
• Provide a system of positive and negative
  consequences for behavior
• Provide an objective criteria for the
  determination of placement
• Inmates should receive reasonable notice of
  scheduled classification 24 hours before the
  start of the classification hearing.

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Why is objective classification important?

• Objective classification has the potential to
  save lives when done correctly
• Objective classification has the potential to
  cost lives when done incorrectly

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Types of Classification

• Initial Classification
• Periodic Reclassification
• Reception Classification

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Classification Hearings

• Classification Committee should use
• Institutional files, NOTIS Information,
  information presented by the inmate or other
  interested parties
• Determine if the inmates case factors warrant a
  change in custody or housing by reviewing the
  objective classification instrument
• Inmate should make a personal appearance before
  the committee and present their point of view or
  submit documents bearing on the proposed
  committee action

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Classification Hearings

• When are they used?
• Employment
• Due Process Hearings
• To dispute STG status
• Intake Classifications

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The NOTIS Classification Instrument is an
objective tool used in calculating a numerical
score given to case factors relevant to an
inmates criminal history, behavioral history and
current sentence structure to assist with
placement. (see the NOTIS Classification
Caseworker Manual for data entry directions)

• A NOTIS Classification instrument is
  multifaceted for diversity with three primary
  categories of consideration
• Severity Factors (Section A) severity factors
  include institutional violence, if this violence
  was in the last six months, severity of current
  offense and prior offense history.
• Diversity Factors (Section B) escape history,
  number of disciplinary reports, most severe
  disciplinary report, holds or detainers, prior
  felony convictions and percentage of time served
  on current sentence.
• Minimum Eligibility Factors (Section C) sexual
  misconduct, violence in the last year, more than
  36 months to a probable release, NDOC escape,
  death or life without parole sentence, felony
  hold or detainer, Central monitoring case,
  psychological restrictions, Protective custody or
  Disciplinary segregation.

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Initial Classification

• Completed upon entrance into NDOC custody
• All case factors are entered into the NOTIS
  system such as
• Crime
• Sentence structure
• Gang affiliation
• Sex Offender status
• Medical, Dental Mental Health Concerns
• Educational testing
• Previous criminal history
• Any additional relevant case factors

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Periodical Classification

• An Initial Classification is completed on an
  inmate when he first arrives in the NDOC.
• A Periodical Classification (Regular Review)
  interview is completed every six months to review
  for changes. An Interim Classification is
  completed in between Regular Reviews and is
  initiated when if some additional Casework needed
  or a change in status prompts new classification,
  such as eligible for lesser custody or resolution
  of an outstanding case.
• Interviews should be done in person, with the
  exception of an exigent circumstance or
  involuntary, to ensure accuracy of the interview.
  

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Classification Changes

• Classification changes are completed when the
  status of an offender changes. Examples of this
  may be
• The offender is now eligible for lesser custody
• The transfer is needed for some specific reason,
  such as enemy, court, medical, department needs
  or pending release.
• An emergency transfer for a specific reason, such
  as medical, mental health or segregation.

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Classification Review Process

• Reclassification Periodical
• (the purpose is to evaluate for lesser custody
  if eligible for minimum, when if not, why?)
• Review I-file and JOC. Compare to NOTIS data.
• Review Non-associations.
• Review Medical Restrictions.
• Review STG Validation.
• Review Disciplinary History.
• Review all past case notes for pertinent details
  that should be brought forward in the new case
  note to ensure consistency.
• Complete assessment, note computed custody, risk
  factor score and put all above data in NOTIS case
  note.

• Reclassification Change
• (the purpose is to chance custody status or
  facility)
• Review I-file and JOC. Compare to NOTIS data.
• Review Non-associations.
• Review Medical Restrictions.
• Review STG Validation.
• Review Disciplinary History.
• Review all past case notes for pertinent details
  that should be brought forward in the new case
  note to ensure consistency.
• Complete assessment, note computed custody, risk
  factor score and put all above data in NOTIS case
  note, as well as justify reason for change.

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Full Classification

• The purpose of a Full Classification Committee
  Hearing is for the hiring of individuals in
  specialized jobs, to level regress an inmate, to
  advise an inmate of a change in his status and to
  allow an inmate a remedy method to resolve
  subjective classification decisions through a
  group democratic process.
• A Full Classification committee will consist of
  the Warden or his designee, usually the Associate
  Warden of Programs or the Caseworker Specialist
  III and at least two other committee members,
  usually Caseworkers.

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Intake and Reception Classification

• Intake Classification is conducted when an
  offender is first committed to the NDOC. This is
  the three week processing of a new offender into
  the NDOC.
• Reception Classification is completed when an
  offender arrives at a new facility. This
  interview is completed to ensure the offender
  does not have any problem moving to the new
  facility yard, such as enemies or physical
  restrictions.

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NOTIS Case Note

• After completing any type of classification
  hearing, such as Due Process, Regular Review,
  Intake, Reception, De-pop, Post-Disciplinary,
  Interdisciplinary, Parole Board, Full
  Classification, serving court documents or just
  seeing the inmate for a question, the Caseworker
  should document the interaction in the NOTIS case
  note screen for a permanent record.

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Offender Liaison

• Caseworkers are the means for offenders to get
  assistance with issues they cannot resolve on
  their own.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their legal issues.
  
• Caseworkers help inmates with their housing
  issues.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their money issues.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their education and
  program issues.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their employment
  issues.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their daily life
  issues and stressors.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their parole or
  release issues.
• Caseworkers help inmates with their daily
  communication and social issues with staff as
  well as other inmates.
• Caseworkers need to make every effort to help
  with their issues.

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AR 521 Custody Categories Criteria

• Maximum Custody
• Ex Lock-up status at Ely State Prison
• Close Custody
• Ex Protective Segregation at Lovelock
  Correctional Center
• Medium Custody
• Ex General Population at Southern Desert
  Correctional Center
• Minimum Custody
• Ex Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp
• Ex Casa Grande Transitional Housing
• Residential Confinement
• Ex House Arrest

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Maximum Custody Characteristics

• Single cell
• Direct supervision
• Limited time outside cell
• Unclothed searches on exiting and returning to
  housing unit
• Restrained when moved inside or outside
  institution

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Maximum Custody Criteria

• Inmates designated as High Risk Potential (HRP)
• Inmates on Death Row (Sentenced to Death)

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Close Custody Characteristics

• Double or single cells in protective segregation
• Single cells for administrative or disciplinary
  segregation
• Separate housing
• Direct supervision
• May be restrained during internal movement
• Will be restrained during external movement

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Close Custody Criteria

• Assignment to specialized housing areas of medium
  security institutions such as protective,
  disciplinary segregation, detention, or
  disruptive group management
• Close custody is the custody designation for the
  general population of a maximum security
  institution (ex ESP)

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Close Custody Criteria

• Inmates with a history of violence, escape
  conspiracy to escape
• Inmates whose conduct indicates their behavior
  cannot be controlled at lower custody levels
• Evaluation and control of inmates for not less
  than one year with sentence of 20 years or more

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Medium Custody Characteristics

• General population of medium security institution
• Participation in work and program activities
  within the perimeter of the institution
• Random searches
• Movement without restraints inside institution
• Movement with restraints outside institution

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Medium Custody Criteria

• Assignment of inmates who do not represent
  significant behavioral problems or those who
  would represent a potential for escape outside
  the perimeter of an institution
• Assignment of inmates who cannot be placed at
  reduced custody levels due to law or policy

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Minimum Custody Characteristics

• Assignment to facilities without secure
  perimeters
• Double cell or dormitory housing
• Intermittent supervision
• Random searches
• Transportation without restraints
• Work supervision by state employee (non NDOC
  staff trained to supervise inmates)

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Minimum Custody Criteria

• Total Risk Factor Score (RFS) of 13 points or
  less
• Be within 36 months of probable release from NDOC
  custody
• Have performed assigned duties in a faithful or
  orderly manner

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Minimum Custody Criteria Disqualifying Criteria

• RFS of 10 points or more in Section A of the
  reclassification instrument
• Committed a serious violent major infraction of
  AR 707 within the immediately preceding 12 months
• Committed any major or work infraction of AR 707
  within the immediately preceding 6 months

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Minimum Custody Criteria Disqualifying Criteria

• Having ever been convicted of a sexual offense
  that is punishable as a felony
• Two or more charges for sexual offenses arising
  from separate incidents
• Having ever been convicted of a felony crime for
  any offense involving the intended death of any
  victim

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Minimum Custody Criteria Disqualifying Criteria

• Been convicted of using or threatened use of
  force against a victim that is punishable as a
  felony immediately preceding 12 months
• Escape or attempted escape from an NDOC
  institution or community supervised program

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Minimum Custody Criteria Disqualifying Criteria

• Convicted of a felony for the escape or attempted
  escape from any medium custody prison or jail
• Minimum Custody immediately preceding 120 months
• Have a current felony detainer lodged against
  them

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Minimum Custody Criteria Disqualifying Criteria

• Have a death or life without the possibility of
  parole sentence
• Require protective segregation
• Serving a disciplinary segregation or
  disciplinary detention sanction

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Discretionary Exclusions for Minimum Custody

• Youthful Inmate
• Medical, Dental or Mental health concerns
• Other agency escape charges
• Disciplinary record
• Felony Hold
• Concurrent or consecutive non-NDOC sentences
• Other relevant factors

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Exceptions to CriteriaDetermining Minimum Custody

• Inmates serving DUI sentences under NRS 484.3792
  or 484.3795 who have no non-DUI offenses as part
  of their sentence restructure
• Exempt from the 36 months to probable release
  criteria
• Inmates with a RFS of 14 or more points can be
  considered for minimum custody on a case by case
  basis
• Require an override from the AOMD prior to
  approval

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Considerations Evaluating Inmates for Minimum
Custody

• Should classify a minimum custody inmate after a
  disciplinary finding for a serious infraction or
  an infractions that raises the inmates RFS to 14
  points or more
• If determination is to increase the inmates
  custody level
• A verbal override is required from the AOMD or
  designee

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Considerations Evaluating Inmates for Minimum
Custody

• Determination is to increase the inmates custody
  level, staff must immediately treat the inmates
  at the recommended custody level
• No inmate with a computed custody level of close
  should be assigned to minimum custody
• OMD must give approval for minimum level inmates
  to be anywhere in the community

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Transitional HousingCriteria

• Non-violent offense and within 1 year of probable
  release
• Inmate is an abuser of alcohol or drugs who is
  within 24 months of probable release
• is or will be eligible for phase II residential
  confinement
• Is eligible for minimum custody per AR 521
• Has not committed a serious infraction to the
  rules or has not performed the duties assigned to
  him

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Transitional HousingCriteria

• Has not been convicted of a violent felony
  offense or felony threat of violence within the
  preceding year
• Inmate cannot ever have been convicted of a sex
  offense
• Inmate cannot have escaped or attempted escape
• Instant offense violence must be within 6 months
  of probable release

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Residential ConfinementAR 523

• Three programs
• DUI (305)
• Residential Confinement (317)
• Re-entry (Drug) Court (184)
• Compassionate Release (298)

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DUI (305)

• Must have DUI crime
• Within one year of probable parole or release
• Eligible for minimum
• Reasonable prospect of employment and residence
• No violent offense, no felony conviction
  involving the use or threat of force within the
  preceding 3 years

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Residential Confinement (317) - Criteria

• No felony conviction involving use or threat of
  violence within the 3 preceding years
• No instant offense violence
• No current or prior conviction for a category A
  or B Felony
• Have no more than one prior felony conviction
• Concurrent sentences are considered to be
  separate felonies if they arise out of separate
  criminal incidents
• Must be on last sentence

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Residential Confinement (317) Criteria

• Must provide a work and residential program in a
  Nevada community approved by PP
• Must be able to pay the costs of supervision to
  PP
• Must be eligible for minimum custody per AR 521
• Must be within 2 years of probable release on
  parole or discharge
• Candidates for Residential Confinement must be
  approved by PP

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Re-entry (drug) Court (194) Criteria

• Program of residence and employment
• Pay all costs
• Within 2 years of probable release
• No felony convictions involving the use or threat
  of violence in the past 1 year
• No instant offense violence
• Eligible for Minimum Custody per AR 521

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Compassionate Release (298) - Criteria

• Physically handicapped to the degree no threat to
  public safety is posed
• Expected to die within 12 months
• No life without or death sentences
• Not sentenced to death or has not previously been
  sentenced to death
• Medical staff should identify eligible candidates
• OMA will review the medical recommendation and
  certified letters then prepare a recommendation
  for the director

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Compassionate Release With Directors Approval

• Inmate must authorize the release of his/her
  medical information to the victims crime
• Victims services officer will notify the victims
  of the approved compassionate release
• OMA will notify the County Commissioners and PP
• OMA may coordinate the release of the inmate to
  PP effective 45 days after notice has been
  provided
• If approved, inmate will be released to PP
• Department is NOT responsible for Medical Costs
  incurred by the inmate on Compassionate Release

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Conclusion

• Objective classification is a critical part of
  maintaining the safety and security of staff,
  inmates and the community
• Activity
• Questions