American Federal System: Control and Classification (From Problems of Long-Term Imprisonment, P 200-213, 1987, Anthony E Bottoms and Roy Light, eds. -- See NCJ-108254)

• NCJ Number: 108262
• Author(s): G Ingram
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Avebury Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

In the American Federal prison system, inmate classification assists staff in controlling the offender population by separating out the most escape-prone and predacious inmates, grouping together inmates with similar security requirements, and permitting use of minimum security placements where appropriate.

Abstract

Classification activities take place at every step of the inmate's interaction with the prison system. Initial classification is based on offender and management variables and results in a security-level determination. Once assigned to an institution, additional classification is used to determine the inmate's custody level in the facility, ranging from maximum to minimum staff supervision. The classification system has reduced population pressures and concomitant problems at higher security facilities while also permitting more efficient use of staff resources and cutting costs of incarceration. The system also complements the Federal prison system's approach to unit management and decentralized facility design. In addition, a central inmate monitoring system provides a means for decisionmaking about certain inmate groups who require special safety and security measures. The Federal facility in Marion, Ill., serves as a specialized, highly controlled maximum-security institution. Segregation of the most violent and escape-prone inmates has reduced disruption at other facilities and permits 95 percent of the inmate population to be housed in less-secure and more appropriate environments. 1 note.