2018 male diagnostics and classification fact sheet

FACT SHEET
MALE 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 52,000 male offenders housed in 29 state prisons, one medical facility, four treatment facilities, 12 transitional centers and eight
probation detention centers. There are also four private prisons that house male state offenders. The diagnostic facility is located at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, GA.

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 Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (male)
History
GDCP opened in 1969 to complete the diagnostic process on adult male offenders
Process was revised in 2009 to take approximately 15 work days
Project is underway to further revise and shorten the diagnostic process to approximately 3-5 working days in order to more rapidly process male offenders and reduce the jail backlog
Population
Diagnostic inmates arrive from the county jails Monday through Thursday (approximately 100 to 125 per day with available bed space)
The Next Generation Assessment assigns initial security levels of minimum, medium or close, however, all diagnostic inmates are considered to be close security until they complete the diagnostic process
Diagnostic inmates transfer to other facilities on Tuesday and Thursday (approximately 150 to 250 per day with available bed space)
Diagnostic inmates receive one 2-hour non-contact visitation period per week on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday (immediate family only) once they have been at the facility for 60 days
Diagnostic visitation is conducted from 9-12 am and 2-4 pm 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 to medical issues, behavioral issues or program needs

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 Shave (male inmates) Haircut Issue clothing and ID card Inventory property and medication
Medical screen Vital signs TB test and blood work Medical review
Mental Health Screen/PREA Assessment New arrival orientation
Inmate forms completion 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
Medical Fasting lab blood work
Diagnostic testing and orientation - Initial interviews - inmate self-report and reading test - Culture Fair IQ Test - WRAT4 testing - spelling and math - Orientation videos - Right to Know
and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
Days 3-4
Medical - awaiting lab results
Further mental health evaluations, if necessary
Day 5
Medical - Physical examinations
- Chest x-rays for positive TB results
Day 5
Medical - Physical examinations - Chest x-rays for positive TB results - DNA/dental examinations - Handwritten medical profile taken to medical
records at end of day to be entered later
Day 6
Medical
- Profile entered
Day 7
Parole - Interview: self-report - Personal History Statement may be entered this date or as late as one week later
Diagnostic processing - Final interview - Security reviewed - Case plan completed - Reentry completed by Diagnostic Counselor
Diagnostic director review - Review and release inmate package (File sent to completed diagnostic queue for Central Office
review. Inmate ready for transfer)
Day 8
Pending review for transfer assignment by Central Office
Security Levels
Overview
Offenders are assigned to a security level by the Next Generation Assesment (NGA) utilizing factors that include theoffender'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 problems
- Eligible for transitional centers
SPECIAL MANAGEMENT UNIT
Established to protect staff, offenders and the public fromoffenders who commit or lead others to commit violent, disruptive, predatory or riotous actions or who otherwise pose aserious threat to the security of the institution
Establishes an incentive program based on an increased levelof privileges for demonstrated appropriate offender behaviorand program compliance
Consists of four separate phases - Phase 4 (Orientation) - Phase 3 (SMU Housing) - Phase 2 (SMU Step Down) - Phase 1 (General Population Step Down)
Offender assigned to the SMU is given the opportunity toprogress through the program's phases based upon theirbehavior and ability to adjust under reduced levels of supervision.
The goal is for an offender to make the appropriate adjustments so that they may be returned to a general population housing assignment.