Basic Classification Information for Inmates

IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Basic Classification Information for Inmates
What is Classification?
Classification is a process used to establish your custody level and determine the custody level
of the facility where you can be housed. Your custody level does not guarantee placement in a
particular facility. Space, programming, and placement restrictions are also considered to
determine placement.
The IDOC has the following classifications:
• Unclassified: Those not yet classified, civil commitments, and inmates under the
sentence of death.
• Rider—Court: Those a court sentenced to a retained jurisdiction.
• Rider—Parole Commission: Those recommended and accepted into a treatment program
prior to a parole revocation where the Commission of Pardons and Parole has retained
jurisdiction.
• Termer Classification: Those serving determinate and/or indeterminate sentences
classified into one of the following custody levels:
1. Minimum
2. Medium
3. Close
How is My Classification Determined?
Riders
Rider—Court and Rider—Parole Commission classifications are determined by either the
sentencing court retaining jurisdiction (Rider—Court) or the Commission of Pardons and
Parole (Rider—Parole Commission).
Termers
Inmates serving term sentences are first classified using an initial classification.
The first scheduled reclassification occurs six months after the initial classification, and
annually thereafter, unless there is an event-driven, unscheduled reclassification.
Events that will change custody level will trigger an unscheduled reclassification. If an
event does not change custody level, an unscheduled reclassification is not done.
For example, if you are minimum custody, and receive a class B or class A DOR, then your
custody level will change and you will be reclassified.
However, if you are medium custody and have a reduction in points because of a birthday,
but it will not change your custody level, you will not be reclassified.
Termers—Adjusted Custody Level
Your adjusted custody level is based on:
1. Current Crime
2. Escape History
3. Criminal Offense History
4. Age
5. Institutional Behavior (DORs)
6. Proximity to Release (high-severity crimes only)
a. Proximity-to-release points are not applied if your current crime is low severity.
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303.02.01.001
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IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Basic Classification Information for Inmates
b. If your current crime is high severity, you receive -9 points when you meet the
following:
• Zero or-1 points for institutional behavior
• No mandatory override criteria
And
• Have a tentative parole date (TPD) or full term release date (FTRD)within three
years or
• Have a parole hearing date (PHD) within three years and within five years of
FTRD
• If serving life, have a TPD within three years
Mandatory Overrides
Mandatory overrides do not add points, but if present, and the scored custody level is
minimum, the adjusted custody level becomes medium. Mandatory overrides do not change
the adjusted custody if the scored custody level is close or medium. The computer
automatically applies mandatory overrides if any of the following are present:
• Life sentences and no TPD within 3 years
• Twenty or more years until a FTRD with no PED or PHD within 5 years
• Felony detainer, pending felony charges, felony warrant, or ICE detainer
Discretionary Overrides
The computer system automatically sets your adjusted custody level. Staff cannot change
the adjusted custody level. However, staff can recommend a higher or lower custody level.
This is called a discretionary override. Discretionary overrides must be approved by facility or
division managers.
Final Custody
The final custody level is your official custody level.
Your final custody level is established one of two ways.
1. If the classification staff recommends the same custody level as the adjusted custody
level, then your final custody level is set. This will be true in most classifications.
2. If the classification staff recommends a custody level that is different from the adjusted
custody, then the facility head or the division chief(or designee) is the approval authority.
The approval authority may agree or disagree with the recommendations and sets your
final custody level.
Where Can I Find More Information about Classification
Detailed information about classification can be found in standard operating procedure (SOP)
303.02.01.001 Classification: Inmate. Information regarding placement can be found in SOP
322.02.01.002 Inmate Placement Process and in the Placement Matrix.
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