Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

54058.5 Stages of the Program

• The THU program at the designated institutions will be carried out in three stages.

• Stage 1 – Orientation Status

  • Upon arrival at the designated institution, THU designated inmates shall be placed on orientation status not to exceed 14 calendar days. This period of orientation has been established for the inmate’s safety. It affords inmates the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the prison and apprise appropriate staff members of any problem situation, such as potential enemies, prior to being placed in the actual THU program. During the orientation period, the inmate shall be housed in a THU orientation designated section, and considered for double cell housing by ICCInstitution Classification Committee. Inmates shall appear before a classification committee to affirm proper endorsement into the THU program and for appropriate program assignment.

  • During this period:

    • Inmates’ program activities will be limited to housing unit activities, and will not include yard or dayroom activities. Authorized emergency phone calls will be allowed. All inmates shall be fed in their cell during this phase.

    • Inmates shall be escorted when it is necessary for them to leave the unit.

    • Interviews, tests, and other activities related to the orientation process shall be conducted within the orientation unit, when possible.

    • Inmates will be reminded that gang related activity or behavior of any nature will not be tolerated, and will be grounds for dismissal from the program.

    • All inmates on THU orientation status will be instructed to contact the assigned housing unit floor officer and/or assigned correctional counselor about questions or issues that arise.

    • Following their appearance before committee, eligible inmates will be removed from THU orientation status and assigned to the second stage of the program.

• Stage II – Program and Participation

  • Upon completion of the Stage 1 orientation, participants shall be placed in the THU GP portion of the program, for approximately five and one-half months.

  • During this period:

    • Inmates are allowed to participate in dayroom and yard activities, as well as eat in the THU dining hall.

    • Inmates are required to double cell in accordance with the Department’s Integrated Housing and Housing Assignment Policy (see Title 15, Sections 3269 and 3269.1). Failure to comply may result in the inmate failing to satisfactorily complete the THU program.

    • Inmates must participate in one or more of the available self help group activities, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Conflict and Anger/Lifelong Management, Substance Abuse Education, Basic Vocational Skills, and Alternatives to Violence or victim awareness programs. Inmates must also participate in any assigned Adult Basic Education and General Education Development.

    • Inmates in this stage of the program shall be allowed special purchases, canteen draw, and allowed to attend religious services when offered. These privileges shall not conflict with a work assignment unless otherwise permitted in regulations.

    • Inmates are eligible for work assignments as THU mentors, THU housing unit porters, or THU clerks.

• Stage III – Completion

  • Upon satisfactory completion of the THU program, inmates shall be housed in a specific portion of the THU housing unit, and will be referred to a classification committee for transfer consideration. Pending transfer, inmates will be assigned as mentors to other THU inmates or to other work assignments as available, and retain their work/privileges group designation.

  • Inmates failing to satisfactorily complete the THU program shall be referred to ICCInstitution Classification Committee for further program and housing determination.