Chapter 10 – Adult Programs

101010.3.4 Classification of Inmates

• Education staff shall review inmate education records upon inmate arrival.  If inmates do not have a reading grade level established in the Strategic Offender Management System (SOMSStrategic Offender Management), education staff shall administer a reading assessment prior to Classification Committee to assist in determining effective communication and appropriate education course(s) placement.

  • Prior to classification, education staff (registrar) shall provide inmates a release form that authorizes the registrar to request education transcripts and special education records from the prior school(s) the inmate attended.  Inmates shall authorize the school to obtain educational records to determine education needs.

  • Education staff shall update an inmate’s educational history in the SOMSStrategic Offender Management to ensure records are available to Classification Committees for proper placement on appropriate waiting lists, based on their educational needs.

  • Classification Committees shall place inmates on waiting lists for education programs.  An education administrator shall provide input and training to the Correctional Counselors to assist in determining inmate education needs.

  • Recommendations for assignments to education programs shall be made on the basis of reading grade levels, the department’s needs assessment instrument, educational history, assessment records, inmate career goals, the inmate’s rehabilitation case plan, and medical and mental health factors and recommendations.

  • Inmates who do not have a High School Diploma (HSD), a High School Equivalency (HSE), or inmates with developmental disabilities who do not have a Certificate of Completion (Certificate of Attendance and Participation), shall be placed on a waiting list for Adult Basic Education (ABEAdult Basic Education) or Adult Secondary Education (ASE), based on their most current reading grade level.

  • Inmates who are within two years of release shall be placed on a waiting list for the Transitions course.

  • Inmates with a medium to high need for employment based on the department’s needs assessment tool shall be placed on a waiting list of their choice for a CTE training course, and one alternate CTE training course based on the Education Administrator recommendation.  An inmate shall not be screened out for participation in CTE training courses based on the inmate’s reading grade level.  Inmates must meet the safety and eligibility criteria to perform the requirements of the CTE training course, based upon the course description and the ability to read the coursework, with accommodations.

  • Institutional safety and security needs shall also be considered when making education assignments within established policy guidelines.