By: Greg Eash, COO equivant Corrections
The concept of objective jail classification became widespread after the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) funded a project in 1986 to devise an objective jail classification (OJC) system that would meet the specific needs of jails and be readily adaptable to facilities of any size. A variety of solutions were created to meet this need; the only automated and validated classification system, Decision Tree, was created by the Northpointe team, now equivant Corrections, to help jails maintain order, simplify and streamline classification, and mitigate litigation.
Objective jail classification is the foundation for safety of the staff, inmates, and facility. In addition, classification, when done the right way, can have a positive impact on everyday jail operations. But, beyond identifying the level of risk presented by newly admitted inmates to properly house inmates, proper classification must be propagated to other areas as well.
The role of classification, at its most basic, is to separate the sheep from the wolves—separating minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security classified inmates. While most facilities do this with varying degrees of success for housing, many forget to:
- Separate certain and specific individuals from other specific individuals
- Look for insights into mental health status or mental health status changes
- Review and reclassify on a specific schedule and regular basis
- Allow staff members to request a review of any inmate’s classification
- Include classification override options when appropriate
- Refer to classification when grouping specialized housing units or medical treatments
- Refer to classification for programming, meals, transportation, and more
Classification’s role is to maintain safety and effectively manage inmates within the facility. It exists to properly separate people by security levels, inform distribution and allocation of staff and resources, and mitigate litigation. You can’t override classification for programming or specialized housing; a singular need simply can’t override a risk. Facilities must keep the main and more peripheral uses for classification top-of-mind every day to mitigate the risk of incidents and lawsuits—and run a more streamlined facility. Reach out to our team to learn more about the implementation of best-in-class classification software solutions like Decision Tree and additional corrections best practices today.
