FACT SHEET FEMALE DIAGNOSTICS & CLASSIFICATION 2018 GREGORY C. DOZIER COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY C. WARD CHIEF OF STAFF RICKY MYRICK ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER Within the correctional system, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has four female state prisons, one medical facility, which houses pregnant offenders, two treatment facilities, and one probation detention center. There are 3,500 female offenders, which is nine percent of the total state prison population. The female offender population is Georgia's fastest growing population. The Diagnostic facility is located at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia. DIAGNOSTICS Overview Identifies all pertinent needs of an inmate entering the prison system to hopefully meet those needs to prevent the inmate from returning to prison Conducted at Lee Arrendale State Prison (LASP) History LASP remissioned as the female diagnostic facility in 2005 Process was revised in 2009; takes approximately 14 work days Population Diagnostic inmates arrive from the county jails Monday and Wednesday All diagnostic inmates receive security classifications through the Next Generation Assessment (NGA) while in county jails awaiting assignment to GDC. Security classifications are close, medium, and minimum Diagnostic inmates transfer to other facilities on Tuesday and Thursday Diagnostic inmates receive one visitation on weekends and holidays, if they have been at LASP for 60 days Diagnostic visitation is conducted from 9am to 3pm on holidays and quarterly alternating Saturday and Sundays Diagnostic inmates usually transfer prior to being eligible for visitation, if bed space is available Upon transfer to their new facilities, diagnostic inmates become permanent inmates, remaining at the new facility until they are released or administratively transferred due Process Inmates without disciplinary, medical or mental health issues usually complete the process in approximately 7-10 working days Staffing for the process includes a Diagnostic Director, correctional officers, doctors, nurses, counselors, mental health counselors, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists and clerical support staff Inmates are screened for: Security threat potential (based on crime, sentence, security threat group affiliation, escapes during all incarcerations and disciplinary histories for all incarcerations) Medical condition Mental health status Educational level Treatment programs needed or ordered by the court for the inmate to complete (i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, sexual offender counseling, substance abuse counseling) Day One Inmate intake Delouse Shower Locks received Hair accessories received Issue clothing and ID card Inventory property and medication Medical screen PPD test, blood work, and vital signs Medical review Mental Health Screen/PREA Assessment Housing/bed assignment FACT SHEET FEMALE DIAGNOSTICS & CLASSIFICATION 2018 GREGORY C. DOZIER COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY C. WARD CHIEF OF STAFF RICKY MYRICK ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER Day Two Dental Examines Orientation - Completion of orientation and parole forms - Orientation videos: Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), AIDS, Right to Know, and - Performance Incentive Credits (PIC) - Diagnostic handbooks distributed - Diagnostic testing is scheduled Days 3-4 Pre-Parole Interviews PPD Reading Medical Exam Days 5-6 Diagnostic testing - Culture Fair (IQ) - Academics: WRAT 4-Reading, Spelling and Math Days 12-15 Final Interviews (10-20 per day) - Interviews cannot be scheduled or conducted without test completion and medical clearance of inmate - Interviews assure that all areas of inmate's process are complete and to recommend custody level - Case planning is completed Security Levels Overview Offenders are assigned to a security level by the NGA utilizing factors that include the offender's sentence, nature of the crime, criminal history, history of violence, medical and treatment risks and needs The classification levels are: close, medium and minimum CLOSE SECURITY Have staffing and physical security measures which are designed for the offenders listed below Offenders: - Are escape risks - Have assault histories - Are considered dangerous and may have detainers for other serious crimes on file. (A detainer is a request by another law enforcement agency to hold an offender pending other charges or actions.) May never leave the prison Require supervision at all times by a Correctional Officer MEDIUM SECURITY Have staffing and physical security measures which are designed for the offenders listed below Offenders: - Have no major adjustment problems - Many may work outside the prison fence, but must remain under constant supervision - Largest category of offenders MINIMUM SECURITY Have staffing and physical security measures which are designed for the offenders listed below Offenders: - Tend to abide by prison regulations - Present a minimal risk of escape - Have been judged to be a minimal threat to the community - May work outside the fence under minimal supervision - Assigned to this level often have proven to be trustworthy, cooperative and have no alcohol/ drug problem - Eligible for transitional centers