Commitment, Intake and Classification Information

COMMITMENT/INTAKE

Individuals committed to the prison undergo reception, orientation and classification processes outlined below.

COMMITMENT

[1] The staff will determine that each person committed has been committed by proper legal authority and authorized officials. The Commitment Officer at this time will complete necessary forms to include, but not limited to personal history, visitation list, medical history and requests for public defender.

[2] An officer will conduct a thorough search [to include a strip search where merited] for weapons and contraband as well as check for body vermin, cuts and bruises. This search will be conducted in a professional manner; a female officer will handle all such searches of female commitments.

[3] The staff will fingerprint, photograph, video-image, iriscan and use other technical identifiers on each person committed.

[4] All personal property is to be turned in, with the exception of one wedding ring, eye glasses, acceptable photographs, addresses, business cards, etc. And recognized religious ornaments or medals which are smaller than the size of a 50 cent piece, [provided such items do not constitute contraband].An itemized inventory of all property removed will be made and a receipt will be furnished to the inmate.

[A] The prison limits liability on personal property items stored at the prison. Reimbursement for property lost, stolen, or unaccounted shall not exceed $25.00. Arrangements should be made to send property of value OUT of the prison immediately. Excess property or personal property unclaimed for 30 days after discharge from custody will be considered abandoned, and will be destroyed.

[5] A telephone is available in the Intake housing area. (The new commitment will be assigned a 5 digit TID (Telephone ID number). A stamped post card also will be provided to the inmate for written communication.

[6] Medical personnel will perform medical screening upon new commitments to determine if any current illness or health problems exist. A preliminary examination will be given to each new inmate shortly after commitment to the prison. This preliminary physical is mandatory and refusal will result in restriction of privileges. Only legal calls and legal visits will be permitted. This will be completed in the Medical Annex on the Intake Unit or the Commitment Medical Area.

[7] Treatment Staff will also meet with the inmate to obtain treatment information. This will be completed in the Intake Unit.

[8] Each commitment will shower and be able to make a telephone call upon admission to the Intake Unit. The inmate will be issued a hygiene kit {soap, comb, toothpaste, and toothbrush}. Footwear and underwear also will be issued.

[9] Each inmate will be issued a copy of the prison rules and regulations, an orientation tape is also available {copies of both provided in English and Spanish} Information as to prison work programs, educational and vocational opportunities, and counseling programs are included in the handbook. This handbook must be returned upon release or the inmate will be assessed replacement cost.

Inmates will have the opportunity to make (1) one free phone call upon commitment to the Prison.

The telephone, where these free phone calls will be made, is in the Commitment area. This phone is the only phone in the Institution where free phone calls can be made.

Once the Inmate has been entered into UCM and his TID is assigned, the inmate will be able to make the call. This free phone call is for Local and / or Long Distance calls, but the duration is never longer than 10 minutes. If the inmate hangs up before the 10 minutes has elapsed, he will not be given any other opportunities for free calls.

The Inmate shall be advised that an incorrectly dialed number is recognized by the inmate telephone system as a phone call, even though it may not have gone through and been completed. Therefore, the phone call has been made and no other attempt will be allowed.

Only the Inmates’ FIRST CALL is free. Any subsequent calls will be billed as collect calls or debit calls. After the inmate is moved from the Commitment / Classification area, they will not be brought back for the free phone call.

CLASSIFICATION

ALL committed individuals will be assigned to the Intake Unit for a maximum of 14 work days. After the Medical intake and Classification intake are completed, all inmates are classified prior to movement to any housing area by the Classification Committee.

A. Information used in this initial process includes but is not limited to the following: (Legal Status) (Age) (Bail) (Detainers) (Charges in other Counties) (Mental & Physical condition) (Prior Incarceration & Behavioral Record) (Behavioral Monitoring) (Requests for Programming) (State Parole Violations).

B. Classification action taken subsequent to the initial classification will utilize a continuing review including but not limited to: (Legal Status) (Detainers) (Revisions or Reductions in Bail) (Charges in other Counties) (State Parole Violations) (Current Attitude) (Behavioral Review - utilizing misconducts, warning logs, Staff/Supervisory recommendations) as well as any other information deemed important or appropriate.

This process will be utilized prior to enrollment in Treatment or work programming or change in housing area as discussed above.

The classification of inmates is undertaken to ensure their safety, the safety of other inmates and the security of the institution. Each inmate is evaluated in terms of, but not limited to personal, criminal, medical and social history. The amount of bail may not be used as the sole or controlling factor in classification decisions. If an inmate feels the Classification Committee decision is not appropriate, the inmate may file an inmate request form questioning the decision. A written reply describing the reasons will be furnished to the inmate. If upon receiving this response the inmate remains unsatisfied, he or she may submit a written request to meet with a member of the Classification Committee and to show cause why the decision in the inmates opinion be changed. The entire committee may then review the decision.

The classification process is ongoing and the importance of maintaining contact with the Classification Committee via the inmate request form is stressed. Once the initial classification procedures have been completed the inmate will be assigned to one of the prison housing areas with assigned security levels.

PRISON HOUSING

The prison utilizes numerous housing divisions/areas. These areas are designated to house inmates of specific classification levels as assigned by the classification committee.

MAXIMUM SECURITY HOUSING -

UTILIZED FOR, BUT NOT LIMITED TO/SERIOUS OFFENSES/STATE & OTHER COUNTY INMATES. CONDUCT DEFICIENCIES. SERIOUS/CONSISTENT DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS. CONTROL PROBLEMS.

MEDIUM SECURITY HOUSING -

UTILIZED FOR, BUT NOT LIMITED TO/INTERMEDIATE OFFENSES.

MINIMUM SECURITY HOUSING -

OVER-FLOW. MINIMUM SECURITY HOUSING - UTILIZED FOR, BUT NOT LIMITED TO/MINOR OFFENSES. IN-HOUSE WORKERS. COMMUNITY SERVICE. OUTSIDE COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT.