Inmate Classification and Placement

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INMATE CLASSIFICATIONAND

PLACEMENT

Corrective Services Academy Trainee


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FOREWORD

Contemporary prison systems still need to be concerned about public and staff safety,security and custody. However, these concerns should be balanced by a classificationprocess which IS sensitive to offender needs. The classification process is vital inassisting the Department to develop innovative correctional programs and in planningthe future direction for CorrectionaLManagement i n ~ e w S o u t k W a l e s .

The Department is committed to implementing Case Management and the Classificationand Placement process will provide the foundation for the introduction and developmentof this crucial innovation.

It is expected that Regional Commanders and Governors will ensure that Classification,Reception Induction/Screening and the Program Pathways Operational Plan areoperative in all Correctional Centres. An evaluation process has been incorporated inthis manual to assist Regional Commanders and Governors to evaluate the effectivenessof Classification at the Correctional Centre level. The evaluations are to be completedby Governors each . hree months and submitted to their Regional Commanders.Regional Commanders will review them and submit their evaluation of eachCorrectional Centre to the Assistant Commissioner, Operations with a copy to theDirector, Inmate Classification and Placement, each six months.

The procedures, training and evaluation methodology detailed in this Manual are keyoperational requirements for the Department of Corrective Services and are to beimplemented at all Correctional Centres from 1st July, 1994.

;( 4 t . . . . , . . ~ . ~ d t . ~ , , _ -R. G. Woodham,Assistant Commissioner,OperationsDepartment of Corrective Services


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Contents29.0 ... TRAINING AND EVALUATION

29.1.. ..... Training and InstitutiolUll VISits29.2 ..........Check lists - RegiolUll Co11l11lll1lllers29.3..........Check Iists - Governors29.4 ................ ........Submission ofCheck Iists

29.5 .......Data Entry - Operating Instructions


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INMATE CLASSIFICATION & PLACEMENT MANUAL

29.0 TRAINING & EVALUATION'29.1 The Classification and Placement Branch will assist in on site training ofCorrectional Centre Staff involved in classification, in particular CaseManagement Supervisors, Induction and' Classification Co-ordinators,Program Managers, IDS Staff and Regional representative. Further, sixmonthly institutional visits will be made to discuss local procedures,evaluate local practices and to advise management and staff onclaSsification issues.29.2 A , Check List has been devised to assist Regional Commanders inoversighting classification in Centres under their control. (See Annexure18)29.3 Similarly, a Governor's Check List will prove invaluable pointers to the

essential procedures to be followed in each Centre. Confinning that therelevant practices are in place will ensure success of the CaseManagement process (see Annexure 19). Governors must submit anevaluation each 3 months to their Regional Commander. These wiD bereviewed by the Regional Commanders and their evaluation should besubmitted every six months to the Assistllnl Commissioner, Operationswith I l copy to the Director, Inmate Classification and Placement.29.4 ClaSSification and Placement Branch will utilise a similar check list to theGovernors when making bi.annual visits.29.5 ORS data requirements are to be entered for classification purposes.Data Entry Operating Instructions for the ORS are at Annexure 24.

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4 Contents'\I ii,!

2.0 .....................CASE MANAGEMENT-

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2.0 CASE MANAGEMENTUnder case management an inmate's progress through the system is extensivelyand methodically documented. Co-ordination and overseeing of all aspects ofthe inmate's progress by respective Case Officers enables a total picture of theindividual to be developed and remedial or supportive action to be taken asnecessary for the appropriate classification and placement of each inmate.Therefore the establishment and maintenance of the case management profilewill be essential to the ongoing Inmate Classification and Placement process.

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Contents3.0 .. CASE MANAGEMENT PROFILE (CMP)

3.1 ..... . Section 1 - Classification and Placement

3.2 .................... Section 2 - Case Management3.2.1 ... Reception - Contact Screening,Referral and Induction.

3.2.2 ................................................. AJtentWn

3.2.3 .................... Referrals (Multi Discipli1uuy)

3.2.4 ................................Case Allocation Sheets /Case Management Check l ist

3.2.5 . Case Pilm Classijication Program Pathway

3.2.6 .. Inmate Management - Running Sheets

3.2.7 ......................... " ................... Case Notes

3.2.8 ............................................. " Case Reviews

3.2.9 ......................... Statutory / Official Reports


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Contents~ . t 1 ....................... ( ; ~ ~ J r ~ ~ J r . l l J l \ r9.6 ..................................... .Fu"l11ler Charges


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9.0 INITIAL CLASSIFICATIONThe PRC will facilitate the initial classification of sentenced inmates servingover 12 months and, in certain circumstances, remandees (refer to section 10.14for further details).9.1 The Program Review Committee is to comprise of the:(i) Case Management Supervisor, as Chairperson;(ii) Case Officer where practicable and when their rosterpermits;(iii) at least two representatives from the Inmate Development

Staff and any other member of the Inmate DevelopmentStaff, who has a professional interest in a particularinmate, may attend; and(iv) a representative of Corrective Services Industries.Induction and CIIlssijication Co-ordUwtor is to advise the committeewhere necessary on policies and practices relating to Inmate Classificationand Placement.

9.2 The role of the Induction and Classification Co-ordinator includes thepreparation of the initial classification and placement documentation (SeeAnnexure 3) to be incorporated with the CMP.A Memorandum of Understonding should also be completed by the PRCto plan the future Pathway of all inmates serving a total sentence over 3yean. See Annexure 6.

9.3 . Assessment scores for factors, such as previous history and nature ofoffence, are rated to ensure inmates are initially classified at a securitylevel consistent with their criminal record, offence type and other factorssuch as extradition, family/relationship problems, etc. (See Annexure 3.)By combining the objective security assessment and the informationcontained on the CMP, an informed assessment can be made regardingthe inmate's security rating and suitable programs.9.4 It is critical that the Objective Assessment form is utilised in conjunctionwith the Offence Severity Scale to determine an inmate's security rating.The combination of the two is referred to as the Objective AssessmentModel. If the Committee disagrees with the security rating determined byapplying the Model, then the Committee must subjectively determine asecurity rating and give reasons for that determination. Provided properreasons are given a subjective assessment of security rating will over-ridethe objective assessment.9.5 Each inmate is to be assessed individually, on criteria specificallyobtained for that individual. Security levels are determined objectively onthe basis of the offence, previous convictions and prior record. Previousclassification restrictions based solely on the length of sentence, eg,

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inmates serving 3 years could expect a B classification where as inmatesserving over 3 years would be classified A2, are no longer approprillte.9.6 Further Charges

Receiving Centres should not automatically classify sentenced inmateswith further charges, at A2 Security Rating.I f outstanding matters are relatively minor and no lengthy increase insentence is likely, a medium security rating would be adequate. In asignificant number of cases, it is not necessary for an inmate to be heldin maximum security. The Objective Assessment Model assists indetennining security levels for inmates with outstanding charges as theMoilelQiJdresses offences rather than sentences.Charges of serious assaults, sexual offences and major drug supplyshould be viewed with caution. Lesser crimes generally do not attract thesame sentences and a B security rating, or even retention of a CI inminor cases, will be more approprillte. The Objective Assessment modelshould be applied when assessing these inmates.All inmates returning from Court should be reviewed by the recelVlngCentre to ensure that their security level is appropriate. Also, the inmate'spersonal situation should be reviewed to ensure that there is no immediateneed for referral to either psychological or welfare staff. If the inmate'sbehaviour is unstable or if he/she appears distressed about the Coul1appearance, immediate referral is required.

9.7 Documentation to facilitate the transfer of inmates to their Centre ofclassification and placement must be completed within 10 days of theclassification decision. The CMS is to ensure inmates do not remain in aCorrectional Centre which is not their Centre of Classification.9.8 Inmates must be placed in Correctional Centres consistent with theirsecurity rating. Decisions made affecting placement are to have regard toprograms and individual needs. Every effort will be made to transfer

inmates to a preferred placement provided that option places them at thelowest approprillte level of security and program needs can be met.9.9 Because of accommodation problems, preferred placements may not beachieved, at the first classification. Program Review Committees will berequired to monitor each inmate's program and needs, and makerecommendations for a change of security rating and/or alternateplacement to the Classification Committee, Long Bay. Six monthlyreviews should be adhered to and only made earlier i f a pressing reasonexists and can be demonstrated.

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Contents10.0 .......... PROGRAM REVIEW COMMIITEE10.14 ..................................Re1lUl1ld Inmates


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10.0 PROGRAM REVIEW COMM111'EEThe Case Management Supervisor will ensure that the CMP is made available toall members of the Program Review Committee on each Program Review of aninmate within the Centre.10.1 The Classification and Program Review process at the CorrectionalCentre level is devolved to the Case Management Team whose memberswill by and large form the Program Review Committee.10.2 The Case Management Supervisor of each area arranges and chairs theProgram Review Committee.10.3 Any member of supporl staff who has a professional interest in aparticular inmate may also attend.10.4 Case Management and Classification and Placement Reviews are adynamic process and are to be organised on a daily basis where requiredand at a set time.10.5 Case Management requires that each inmate be reviewed on a monthly. basis. Details of the review are be placed in the Case ManagementSection of the CMP.10.6 When the inmate's Classification and Placement Review becomes due, the

Program Review Committee with the Induction and Classification Co-ordinator, must complete the Classification and Placement documents.The CMS must ensure that the CM P is available to the PRC and relevantinformation either summarised, copied or recorded is attached to thedocumentation submitted to the Classification Committee.

10.7 All documentation and reporls for the Classification Committee must besubmitted with the PRC papers to the Classification and PlacementBranch, Long Bay.The Memorandum of Undersfllnding wiU also be completed on all inmatesserving a total sentence of over 3 years. See Annexure 6.

10.8 Members must meet as a Committee. It is not acceptable that a PRCrecommendation be 'walked around' to obtain individual signatures.Members must share all relevant information so that an informedrecommendation can be made.Inmates must attend and sign the recommemlations of any PRe meetingwhich discusses their future classification, placement and program. If aninmate does not sign, an explanation must be given.

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10.9 If the Governor is not present at PRC meetings, all completed PRCrecommendations are to be presented to him/her for appropriate notationin relation to the recommendation after computer entries are made.10.10 Inmates should be reviewed by the PRC every six months. This practiceshould be adhered to unless a pressing reason exists.10.11 Recommendations should not be based solely on the period spent in theCommittee's particular institution or the six-month period under review.Any judgement made on this basis alone does not provide theClassification and Placement Branch with an objective assessment of theinmates' program performance and security risk assessed over the totalimprisonment period.

Caution should be exercised when assessing inmIltes for extemaIprograms such as Work Release, Day Leave, etc. i f they have previouslyfailed OR have returned to custody shortly after release.Preference should be given to inmates who have not had prior opportunityin pre-release programs.In accordance with Regulation 16, if the Classification Committeeproposes to reject a recommendation of the PRC, the PRC must discussthe matter with the inmate. The PRC may re-submit the matter,supplying fUriher reasons or arguments.An individual inmate may seek a review of the Classification Committeedecision. All requests for reviews must be in writing, giving reasons tothe central Classification Committee, Long Bay.

10.14 Remand InmatesAll Remand inmates must now participate in the Reception, Induction andScreening process applicable to sentenced inmates and must be initiallyclassified by the Reception Committee (see 7.7.1).A CMP is to be created to monitor the progress 'o f remandees and thisshould prove beneficial in making assessments and recommendationsregarding their future management if sentenced.If the remand inmates remain in custody, unsentenced, for more than sixmonths they must be seen by the PRC in the same manner as sentencedinmates and their security levels and programs reviewed.To minimise inmate movement, shori term remandees should remain inlocal Centres pending couri hearings. Transfers to metropolitan Centresfrom country Centres should only occur if a lengthy remand period is setand local facilities are becoming crowded.

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Contents11.0 PROGRAM PA11lWAYS11.8 ........................Specillllnsttuction Screen


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11.0 PROGRAM PATHWAYSClassification and placement of inmates will operate in conjunction with theProgram Pathways Operational Plan which was approved by the Commissioneron 23 December, 1993.11.1 Program Pathways is a concept of inmates progressing through thecorrectional system in a planned and litructured way. The purpose is toensure that there is a coordinated approach which will allow inmates toprogress through various Correctional Centres without interruption totheir planned program/s in order to assist reintegration into thecommunity.11.2 The implementation of Program Pathways will be developed through CaseManagement and Inmate Classification and Placement will be essential to

its operation.A guide to future prospects of long"term inmates will be provided by theMemorandum of Understanding (See 9.2 and IO.7).

11.3 Area Managers are to be responsible for ensuring that Case Management,Program Pathways and the Classification processes function effectively intheir management area.11.4 The Case Management Team will evaluate the inmate's needs andperformance every 6 months and make appropriate recommendations tothe Classification and Placement Branch.11.5 The screening and induction processes in Reception facilities will need toidentify inmates' immediate program needs (which would include risk,welfare and health factors), security levels and appropriate placements.

Inmates serving 3 years or less (usually from Local Court) may bemanaged locally within Correctional Centres in close geographicalproximity because of limited time to serve, unless there are specialcircumstances, ego Welfare, Medical, At RiskInmates serving more than 3 years may be managed in any CorrectionalCentre where the inmate could benefit from programs offered because ofthe length of time to serve.Inmates with special needs will be placed in appropriate managementprograms ego Sex Offenders, Young Adult Offenders.

11.6 Case Management Team will develop Program Pathways and makerecommendations via PRC to the Classification and Placement Committeeaccordingly.

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11.7 The responsibilities of the Classification and Placement Branch for theimplementation of Program Pathways are as follows:(i) wherever practicable support PRC recommendations inorder to facilitate the Program Pathway;

(ii) give reasons for varying or rejecting recommendationsmade by the PRC. Note: inmates may apply, preferablythrough the PRC, for a review by the ClassificationCommittee, Long Bay;

(iii) ensuring that accommodation resources are utilisedeffectively;

(iv) ensuring that inmates are held at their determined securitylevel in order to take full advantage ofprograms available;

(v) maintaining a vacancy level in each Centre, wherepracticable, to facilitate inmate transfer for ProgramPathway progression; and

(vi) in the long term, providing inter-gaol transport to enabledirect placement.

11.8 Specio1lnstruction ScreenProcedures for using this screen together with the Special InstructionData for Verification form are at Annexure 20.Governors must ensure that staffare identified and trained to enter data.When information becomes available concerning classification matters, such asassociation or placement, data verification form must be completed andforwarded to the Classification and Placement Branch with supportingdocumentation to enable the information to be entered in the ORS.In the case of inmates who fall within the category of Public Interest and whoseentry onto Pre-Release Programs must be considered by the Pre-Release ReviewCommittee (PRRC), the reason for determining that the inmate belongs to thePublic Interest category must be entered in the information section..

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The CMS is to ensure that details in the Attention segment of CMP are checkedagainst the Special Instruction Screen on a regular basis to con inn thatappropriate details have been entered in the ORS.In the event of an incident occurring which would require the Duty Officer,Long Bay, to infonn the On Call Officer (see section 7.4.9.2.) such as an urgenttransfer, the Officer responsible for reporting the incident to the Duty Officermust access the Special Instruction Screen to alert the Duty Officer of anysignificant facts ego at risk, self hann, association, placement, public interestetc.

This procedure should be followed in the event ofan escape (see section 16.0).

Inmate Classification and Placement

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