Opinion ID: 2267996
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Security Classification

Text: The DOC operates facilities for the confinement of prisoners at four different security levels: maximum, medium, minimum, and pre-release. DCD 110-12.IV.2. Inmates classified at a level other than minimum security are subject to reclassification every 12 months. See DCD 100-005.II.N.3.a. DCD 100-005.II.T makes clear, however, that inmate reclassification occurs at the discretion of the Commissioner: Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other directive and consistent with the law, the Commissioner and those authorized by the Commissioner have the absolute discretion to modify, suspend, or terminate the case management process for any reason. Similarly, the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designees retain the discretion to modify the classification and/or assignment of any inmate at any time for any reason. On January 2, 1974, DOC maintained a subjective inmate security classification policy. Transfers to minimum security and pre-release were based on a discretionary assessment by the DOC classification team. Although this policy changed over the next 14 years and certain inmates lost opportunities for pre-release, the general policy of the DOC did not exclude all inmates serving life sentences from the pre-release system. On January 18, 1988, DOC adopted a point system for classifying inmates, under which each inmate assigned a point value for certain objective factors. Based on the inmate's total score, he or she then was recommended for a certain level of security. Still, under this system, no category of prisoner was precluded from progressing below medium security. On December 1, 1994, however, the DOC's formal policy declared that no inmates sentenced to life imprisonment could be transferred below medium security. On June 1, 1995, DOC issued DCD 100-005, which stated in part that, [i]nmates serving life sentences shall be initially classified to no less than maximum security and shall not be reclassified below medium security. DCD 100-005.II.N.1.b. This section provides that an inmate who is serving a term of confinement for a rape or sex offense, shall not be reduced below medium security unless approved for a delayed parole release contingent upon a transfer to lesser security ... or unless within one year of a mandatory supervision release date or maximum expiration release date. DCD 100-005 was revised on January 16, 1996, and December 7, 2001, but the security classification limits on inmates serving life sentences and certain sex offenders remained in place.