Classification Plan - April 2018 - FINAL REDACTEDpdf PDF

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DIVISION
CLASSIFICATION PLAN
Revised by Classification and Records
April 2018
Classification Plan
FOREWORD
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TCDJ), Correctional Institutions Division (CID) is
required by state law to provide work, treatment opportunities, encouragement, and training to those
who are convicted and sentenced to prison for violating the law, and offender classification is the
means for meeting these requirements. The TDCJ Administrative Directive (AD)-04.01,
“Implementation, Monitoring, and Modification of the TDCJ Classification Plan” provides
directions for the implementation, monitoring, and modification of the TDCJ Classification Plan at
TDCJ facilities.
In my duties as Director, Correctional Institutions Division, I hereby adopt the attached plan to be
used in the operation of offender classification at TDCJ facilities. This plan is in compliance with
Texas Government Code sections 493.004; 493.006(b); 493.007; and 498.002.
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Standards §§ 115.14 (a); 115.33 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f);
115.41 (e); 115.42 (a) and (g); 115.43 (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e); and 115.68
Supersedes: Classification Plan, August 2014
___________________________________
Lorie Davis, Director
Correctional Institutions Division
TDCJ Classification Plan i April 2018

CLASSIFICATION PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
DEFINITIONS ...........................................................................................................................3
PROCEDURES ..........................................................................................................................13
INTAKE ......................................................................................................................................13
Receiving and Screening..............................................................................................................13
Initial Housing Assignment .........................................................................................................13
Orientation ...................................................................................................................................13
Medical and Mental Health Evaluation .......................................................................................14
Health Summary for Classification Form ....................................................................................15
Testing and Assessment ...............................................................................................................15
Development of Offender Records ..............................................................................................16
INITIAL CLASSIFICATION ..................................................................................................17
Initial Unit of Assignment............................................................................................................17
Safety Needs ................................................................................................................................18
Security Requirements .................................................................................................................18
Other Factors ................................................................................................................................18
State Jail and SAFP Offenders .....................................................................................................18
UNIT LEVEL CLASSIFICATION .........................................................................................18
Initial Housing Assignment .........................................................................................................17
Custody Assignment ....................................................................................................................19
TDCJ Classification Plan i April 2018

Unit Classification Process ..........................................................................................................22
Reviews for Promotion ................................................................................................................23
Subsequent Reviews ....................................................................................................................23
STATE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE ..........................................................................24
Prison Offenders ..........................................................................................................................24
State Jail Offenders ......................................................................................................................24
Scheduled Reviews ......................................................................................................................24
Overrides ......................................................................................................................................25
Security Precaution Designator Review Committee ....................................................................25
Health Summary for Classification Form ....................................................................................25
OFFENDER HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS..............................................................................25
OFFENDER JOB ASSIGNMENTS .........................................................................................25
APPEALS OF CLASSIFICATION DECISIONS ..................................................................26
OPERATIONAL COMPONENTS ..........................................................................................26
Classification Committees ...........................................................................................................26
Unit Classification Committee (UCC) .............................................................................26
Administrative Segregation Committee (ASC) ...............................................................29
State Classification Committee (SCC) ............................................................................30
Departmental Review Board (DRB) ................................................................................32
Security Precaution Designator Review Committee (SPDRC) .......................................33
Unit Administration .....................................................................................................................33
Central Office Classification Staff ...............................................................................................34
Unit Classification Administration ..............................................................................................35
TDCJ Classification Plan ii April 2018

Regional Directors .......................................................................................................................35
Unit Level Classification Staff.....................................................................................................36
Chief of Unit Classification .............................................................................................36
Unit Classification Case Manager....................................................................................36
Health Services Liaison to the State Classification Committee...................................................37
MONITORING OF THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM .....................................................37
Central Office Classification Staff ...............................................................................................38
Unit Classification .......................................................................................................................38
Regional Directors .......................................................................................................................39
TDCJ Classification Plan iii April 2018

CLASSIFICATION PLAN
INTRODUCTION
Offender classification is a process that systematically groups offenders according to security,

program, treatment, and medical needs and requirements. This is accomplished through personal
interviews, medical and mental health evaluations, educational and risk assessments, life history
reviews, and examinations of information relative to an offender’s criminal history background. The
purpose of offender classification is to provide a comprehensive system that evaluates and accurately
groups offenders on the basis of various characteristics including age, type of offense, sentence
length, prior criminal record, institutional adjustment, medical and mental health care needs, as well
as educational, vocational, and work-related needs. Moreover, through the process of classification,
offenders whose medical, mental health, security, safety, and other needs require special
consideration are identified and provided appropriate programs and services.
The classification system operates to ensure the safety of all offenders, staff, the public, and to
protect the security and order of each unit. The Classification and Records Office operates under the
direction of the TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division (CID).
Classification strives to achieve the following goals:
1. To gather and record information relevant to each offender’s criminal, social,

medical, psychological, educational, and vocational histories, as well as other
relevant data, and to make the information readily available for use in making
classification-related decisions.
2. To provide and maintain procedures for expeditiously identifying offenders who

require immediate medical or mental health care or who have other treatment,
security, or safety needs requiring immediate intervention.
3. To ensure that each offender is placed in an institutional setting where the offender
receives supervision in work, education, vocational training, and treatment consistent
with the safety needs of the individual offender, the public, the staff, and the total
offender population.
4. To provide offenders with opportunity for personal improvement and rehabilitation

through the availability of programs and services.
5. To maintain a dynamic classification process that provides incentive for offenders to

make a positive institutional adjustment.
6. To provide appropriate agency staff with information about the classification process
TDCJ Classification Plan 1 April 2018

and to advise staff of any changes in the process.
7. To achieve executive, legislative, judicial, and Texas Board of Criminal Justice
objectives concerning prison classification.
8. To maintain a dynamic and flexible classification system so that changes in

legislation, the judicial interpretation of legislative mandates, or criminal justice
goals, as well as changes in offender population characteristics, can be incorporated
smoothly without creating disharmony in prison operations.
Plans for the identification, care, and treatment of offenders with medical, mental health, intellectual
impairment, and other special needs, such as physically handicapped offenders, have been developed
and implemented, and in the event those plans are in conflict with this plan, those plans shall govern.
In order to ensure that the classification system continues to meet the goals and objectives of
classification in the CID, an annual review shall be conducted of the guidelines, policies, and
procedures established in this plan.
The classification of offenders incarcerated in the TDCJ is a continuous process that begins the day
the offender is committed to the custody of the TDCJ and ends when the offender is released from
custody. Classification encompasses all decisions affecting an offender's life during incarceration.
Assignments to custody, housing, programs, jobs, treatment, various activities, and decisions
relevant to good time credit, for prison offenders, evolve from classification decisions made by
TDCJ classification committees.
The CID is composed of state prisons, transfer facilities, state jails, substance abuse felony
punishment facilities (SAFPFs), medical facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, geriatric facilities,
intermediate sanction facilities (ISFs), and certain other facilities contracted with private vendors for
management.

DEFINITIONS
“Administrative Segregation” is a non-punitive, maximum custody status involving separation of an

offender from general population for the purposes of maintaining safety, security, and order among
general population offenders and correctional staff within the prison and the public. Administrative
segregation is composed of two separate categories:
(1) Administrative Segregation/Security Detention - An offender in this category requires

separation from general population due to being a current escape risk, a threat to the
physical safety of other offenders or staff, including volunteers and contract
employees, or a threat to the order and security of the prison, as evidenced by
repetitive, serious disciplinary violations or due to identification as a confirmed
member of a security threat group (STG).
(2) Pre-Hearing Detention - An offender is placed in pre-hearing detention (PHD) when

charged with, or suspected of, a disciplinary violation and (a) the offender is a current
escape risk, (b) the offender’s presence in general population would create a threat to
the physical safety of other offenders or staff, or (c) it is necessary to separate the
offender from general population in order to maintain the integrity of the
investigation.
“Administrative Segregation Committee (ASC)” is responsible for functioning at the unit level and
conducting the initial due process hearings for the assignment of offenders to administrative
segregation, to include identification or confirmation of any special conditions of confinement. The
RHC also conducts regularly scheduled hearings, dependent upon the offender’s administrative
segregation level. All decisions regarding assignment to and release from administrative segregation
require final confirmation by the State Classification Committee (SCC).
“Annual Review” is a paper review conducted by unit classification staff, reviewing the offender’s
custody level, time earning status, job and housing assignments, UC00 unit classification screens,
and other documents in the unit classification folder. Special populations identified by PREA will be
assessed twice each year.
“Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Offender Status” is a status identifying offenders requiring
special consideration regarding housing assignments, job assignments, and other similar conditions
due to a permanent or temporary disability.
“Bench Warrant” is a document issued by a judicial officer directing a person be brought to court for
formal judicial proceedings.
“Central Office Classification Staff” includes assistant director, chairperson, manager II of

Classification Operations, vice-chairperson of Classification and Records, Unit Classification and
Countroom Operations program supervisor, intake administrator, SCC members, and Unit
Classification and Countroom coordinators.

“Chief of Unit Classification” is responsible for coordinating the scheduling of offenders’ reviews by
the Unit Classification Committee (UCC) and for ensuring all matters relative to unit-level
classification are conducted in accordance with the Classification Plan.
“Classification and Records Office (CRO)” is the central office under the supervision of the assistant
director of Classification and Records. The CRO is responsible for maintaining records for all
offenders; active, discharged, and those on supervision. These records include court orders, legal
documents, records of all classification transactions, STG affiliations, non-medical emergency
absences, and prior incarceration records, if applicable.
“Classification Committee Docket” is the formal written record of classification committee

proceedings documenting the reason for an offender’s appearance before the committee, the
membership of the committee, and the decisions made or actions taken by the committee, including a
record of how each member voted.
“Classification Profile” is an electronic information record kept for each offender which includes the
offender’s criminal history, prior prison record, adjustment problems, and any other relevant
information necessary to make determinations as to the offender’s appropriate custody designation,
unit assignment, and other decisions related to the offender’s classification. It also includes
sociological information gathered and compiled on each offender during intake processing at a
reception facility; offender demographics; identifying scars/marks/tattoos; family history;
educational and vocational history; employment background; military history; nativity; citizenship;
visitation information; prior committee decisions; detainers; mental health history; history of sexual
or physical abuse; and disclosed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) status.
“Commissary” is the unit store where certain items not issued by the state can be purchased by
offenders through established procedures.
“Commitment Papers” refers to the official document, Standardized Felony Judgment Form, issued
by the court containing the judgment, sentence, indictment and offense report of the case for which
the offender was convicted.
“Consolidated Report Form (CRF)” is a document containing sociological background information

completed on each offender during intake processing at an intake facility. The CRF is used to assist
in the completion of the offender’s classification profile.
“Custody Designation” is the category to which an offender is assigned on the basis of the offender’s
classification characteristics relative to the level of security and supervision required, both inside and
outside the prison, such as cell versus dormitory housing or periodic, unarmed supervision versus
constant, armed supervision. The principal custody designations are general population Level 1
(G1/J1), general population Level 2 (G2/J2), general population Level 3 (G3), general population
Level 4 (G4/J4), general population Level 5 (G5/J5), and administrative segregation.
“Death Row” is an area on designated units for housing offenders who are committed to the TDCJ
under a sentence of death.

“Death Sentence Status” is a custody status reserved for offenders who are committed to the TDCJ
under a sentence of death and housed at a death row designated unit.
“Departmental Review Board (DRB)” shall operate as the final authority for all staff appeals of
decisions relating to offender classification made by either the Unit Classification Committee (UCC)
or State Classification Committee (SCC).
“Detainer” is a notice issued to prison officials by a law enforcement agency that represents
outstanding criminal charges against an offender. Felony and misdemeanor detainers can be received
from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Marshals Service, police departments,
sheriff’s departments, district attorney offices, other state departments of corrections or any law
enforcement or regulatory agency. The Interstate Detainer Agreement (IAD) allows for an offender
to be returned to another state, at their request or at the request of the detaining state, to stand trial for
a previously untried case.
“Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP)” is a status that identifies offenders who require special
consideration due to developmental disabilities. Offenders in this status have a Beta III IQ of 70 or
below and an Adaptive Behavior Screening result below normal, or a social history indicative of
developmental disability.
“Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP)-Sheltered Facility” is a facility that provides an

inpatient program for developmentally disabled offenders.
“Direct Supervision” is the oversight of an offender a staff member maintains by having an offender
within sight and sound with no physical barriers between the offender and staff member and at a
distance no greater than one that a normal conversational volume can be maintained.
“Disciplinary Offense” is an act of misconduct that is in violation of TDCJ rules and regulations.
Disciplinary offenses are categorized according to the level of seriousness and the maximum
punishment that may be assessed upon conviction for the offense, ranging from Level 1, which is the
most serious, to Level 3, which is the least serious. The seriousness of an offense will determine the
type of disciplinary hearing required. The type of disciplinary hearing, major or minor, will
determine the type of penalty that can be imposed. Major penalties are punishment imposed
pursuant to a major disciplinary hearing once convicted of a disciplinary offense. Major penalties for
prison offenders include loss of good time credit, reduction in time-earning status, and retention in
Line Class III. Minor penalties include any punishment imposed pursuant to a major or minor
disciplinary hearing that is not defined as a major penalty, such as verbal reprimand, extra duty, or
loss of privileges. Both major and minor penalties can be assessed during a major disciplinary
hearing, which is conducted by a disciplinary hearing officer (DHO). Only minor penalties can be
assessed during a minor disciplinary hearing, which is conducted by a minor hearing officer. For
offenders on death row, cell restriction and loss of recreation penalties are regarded as major
punishments.
“Disciplinary Report and Disciplinary Hearing Record” is a report filed by an employee on an

offender for violating a rule or regulation. The disciplinary report and disciplinary hearing record

identifies the accused offender by name and TDCJ number, describes the circumstances of the rule
infraction, and provides a record of the disciplinary hearing. There are two versions of the
disciplinary report: one is used for major disciplinary hearings; the other, for minor disciplinary
hearings. A copy of the disciplinary report is provided to the accused offender prior to his
appearance before the DHO, for major disciplinary hearings, or the minor hearing officer, for minor
disciplinary hearings, to notify the offender of the disciplinary charges. A copy of the disciplinary
report is also provided to the accused offender after the disciplinary hearing.
“Emergency Absence” is a temporary release under security escort to attend the funeral of an
immediate family member, visit a funeral home to view a deceased immediate family member, or
visit a critically ill immediate family member as defined in AD-04.56, “Emergency Absence Review
Procedures.”
“Escape” is the intentional commission of an overt act resulting in the unauthorized departure from
any part of a secure adult correctional facility, work assignment, or extended limits of the facility,
including, but not limited to, during transport or an escorted emergency absence, climbing a
perimeter fence, or departing without authorization from a community work project.
“Forty-Eight (48) Hour Notice” is a written notice provided to all offenders 48 hours prior to a
scheduled classification hearing, unless precluded for security or other substantial reasons. The 48-
hour notice shall be provided on the SSP-48, Unit Classification Committee 48-hour Notice Form.
“Good Time Credit” refers to the practice governed by state law that provides guidelines for
reduction of time to be served by prison offenders by awarding good time credits to offenders for
good behavior. An offender who is “orderly, industrious, and obedient” can earn good time credit
for each day actually served on the offender’s maximum sentence. Good time credit applies only to
eligibility for parole or mandatory supervision release. The amount of good time credit an offender
can be awarded and the method for awarding good time credit is determined by the laws in effect at
the time an offender committed his offense(s), unless otherwise indicated by statute. Offenders who
are incarcerated for a state jail felony do not earn good time credit, but may be eligible for diligent
participation credits.
“HC00” is an on-line computer program designed to track offender housing and capacity
information.
“Health Services Liaison” is the department, along with the CRO, responsible for coordinating the
transfer of offenders who require intake or reassignment for medical purposes. The Health Services
Liaison is also responsible for conducting medical screenings of offenders who are entering facilities
or programs where specific medical criteria must be met.
“Health Summary for Classification Form ” is the instrument medical and mental health professional
treatment staff use to communicate information to classification committees and unit classification
and correctional staff regarding an offender’s current health status, to include any and all
health-related restrictions, such as unit assignments, housing assignments, job assignments, method
of transportation, and disciplinary procedures.

“Immediate Family” for the purposes of offender contact visitation, shall be determined in
accordance with the TDCJ Visitation Plan.
“In-Cell Integration Form” is a form completed on an offender, excluding transfer, intermediate

sanction facility (ISF), state jail, and substance abuse felony punishment (SAFP) offenders, which
identifies security-related restrictions relative to double-cell housing, such as separation from a
particular race or races when assigned to a two-person cell.
“Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP)” is a record of treatment planning through programs aimed to
reduce recidivism and improve knowledge, positive social interactions, and the life skills of
offenders. Every CID offender has an ITP developed for the purposes of providing information to
staff when identifying programmatic needs; as a tracking instrument to ensure appropriate
placements are made; and to enhance reports to the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) regarding
offender program participation. Offenders are required to attend programs specified by the ITP
regardless of their parole eligibility, as the programs are available. The ITP may also be used by the
Reentry and Integration Division to enhance reentry planning.
“Intake Facility” is a facility where newly-received offenders are processed for the purposes of
determining needs and requirements in regard to security, supervision, and treatment. For the
purposes of this plan, an intake facility shall include state jail and SAFP facilities (SAFPF) that
receive offenders directly from the counties.
“Intake Interviewer” is an employee who performs a variety of duties as part of the intake process.
This employee ensures the commitment paperwork is properly screened; performs state jail and
SAFP commitment data entry; and interviews all newly received offenders to gather relevant
sociological data used in the development of permanent offender records, including the Consolidated
Report Form, Family Tracking Page, initial visitors list, and a safety form for each offender.
“Jail Report” is a report provided by each county upon admittance to the TDCJ that provides
information relative to the offender’s behavior while in their custody.
“Job Assignment” is an occupational task assigned to an offender.
“Justification” is an explanation documented on the computer regarding why an offender has been
temporarily housed out of assigned custody designation. A justification is required whenever an
offender’s assigned custody designation and assigned housing do not match.
“LGBTI” is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex.
“Level 1 Offense” is a disciplinary offense committed by an offender that presents an immediate and
serious threat to the safety of the public, the staff, other offenders, or to the security and order of the
prison.
“Level 2 Offense” is a disciplinary offense committed by an offender that could present an

immediate and serious threat to the safety of the public, the staff, other offenders, or to the security

and order of the prison, depending on the circumstances of the offense.
“Level 3 Offense” is a disciplinary offense committed by an offender that poses no immediate or

serious threat to the safety of the public, the staff, other offenders, or to the security and order of the
prison.
“List of Enemies” is a compiled computerized record that is continually updated for each offender
and contains the names and TDCJ numbers of all known offenders incarcerated in the TDCJ who, for
various reasons, might feel antagonistic toward that offender.
“Mandatory Supervision” is the release of an offender from prison confinement, but not on parole
and not from legal custody of the state, to serve the remainder of the sentence, day for day, outside of
prison under the conditions and provisions of supervision as determined by the Board of Pardons and
Paroles (BPP). Release to mandatory supervision shall not be construed to mean a commutation of
the sentence or any other form of executive clemency. Offenders whose offenses were committed on
or after September 1, 1987, and whose offenses are statutorily defined as being assaultive, are not
eligible for release to mandatory supervision. Discretionary mandatory supervision (DMS)
disqualifies an offender from release to mandatory supervision due to: (1) prior non-mandatory
supervision, or prior offense with affirmative finding of a deadly weapon, that resulted in previous
incarceration within the TDCJ, or (2) BPP vote. This does not apply to offenders incarcerated in a
state jail or SAFPF.
“Medical Status” is a status identifying offenders, both inpatient and outpatient, who require special
considerations regarding housing, job assignments, and other similar areas due to their medical
conditions, as recommended by Health Services.
“Monolingual Spanish-Speaking Offender” is an offender who is unable to communicate effectively

in spoken English, including offenders who only speak Spanish with no English speaking ability and
Spanish-speaking offenders who are able to speak some English, but lack fluency in English, which
precludes them from understanding basic unit activities and proceedings.
“Outside Trusty (OT)” is a designator used to identify those general population Level 1 (G1) custody
offenders who have been approved to live in a trusty camp and work outside the security perimeter
with minimal supervision.
“Override” is the authority given to TDCJ classification committees to overrule

computer-recommended custody designations, in the interests of good correctional practice, which
would otherwise be dictated by established custody assignment specifications in order to maintain
sound correctional practices. Documented overrides are based upon non-routine or unusual
circumstances relevant to individual classification issues not covered by custody assignment
specifications.
“Parole” is the release of an offender from prison confinement, but not from legal custody of the
state, to serve the remaining sentence, day for day, outside of prison under the conditions and
provisions of supervision as determined by the BPP. Release of an offender to parole is not a
commutation of the sentence or any other form of executive clemency. An offender’s initial parole

eligibility date, the date on which the offender is first eligible for consideration for parole, is
determined by the laws in effect at the time the offender committed his offense. This does not apply
to offenders incarcerated for a state jail felony, or sentenced to a SAFPF.
“Protective Safekeeping” is designated for offenders who require the highest level of protection in a
more controlled environment than other general population offenders, due to threats of harm by
others or a high likelihood of victimization.
“Psychiatric Acute Care Inpatient Facility” is a type of inpatient facility designed to provide
treatment to offenders who are diagnosed as demonstrating acute psychotic, affective, or adjustment
disorders. This inpatient setting offers acute, chronic, mood impulse, crisis management, and
diagnostic evaluation.
“Psychiatric Status” is the assignment of an offender to a caseload by a qualified mental health

professional.
“Recent Pattern of In-Prison Assaultive Behavior” is three or more separate disciplinary convictions
resulting in major punishments within the past 24 months for offender or staff assaults, with or
without a weapon.
“Regional Medical Facility” is a facility that provides limited consultative specialty outpatient
services, inpatient infirmary services, and skilled nursing services.
“Safekeeping Status” is a status assigned to offenders who require separate housing within general
population due to threats to their safety, vulnerability, a potential for victimization, or other similar
reasons. Prison offenders in safekeeping are also assigned a principal custody designation, including
safekeeping Level 2-P2, safekeeping Level 3-P3, safekeeping Level 4 -P4, and safekeeping Level 5-
P5. State jail offenders in safekeeping status are assigned to PJ custody.
“Secure Adult Correctional Facility” is a secure TDCJ CID unit, privately-operated facility, pre-
parole facility, intermediate sanction facility, federal facility, other state’s department of corrections
facility, county jail, city jail, or city police substation that incarcerates adult offenders.
“Security Perimeter” is the designated area of a prison unit, including the furthermost outlying
boundary secured by a fence or by armed supervision.
“Security Precaution Designator (SPD)” is a code documented in an offender’s record that identifies
the offender as a special management risk. This designator shall be used for offenders who have a
history of escape (ES), taking hostages (HS), assaulting staff (SA), defeating security restraint
devices (SR), or sentenced to Life Without Parole (LWOP) or Jessica’s Law Life Without Parole
(JLWOP).
“Security Precaution Designator (SPD) Card (CL-148)” is a card used to document the placement of
an SPD in an offender’s record. The SPD Card is bright green and must be attached to the backside
of the offender transport card.

“Security Precaution Designator Review Committee (SPDRC)” is composed of the regional director,
warden, and the SCC chairperson. For privately-operated facilities, the regional director of the
geographic region where the facility is located shall be the voting authority. The committee shall be
the authority for removal of the SPD when the offender meets the eligibility criteria for removal of
an SPD, or for retaining the SPD past the designated period. Decisions that are not unanimous shall
be referred to the appropriate CID deputy director or Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight
Division (PFCMOD) deputy director.
“Security Threat Group (STG)” is a group of offenders that has a well-organized structure, routinely
uses violence, fear, and intimidation to further the group’s prohibited activities, and that the TDCJ
CID director determines poses a constant threat to the physical safety and security of staff, offenders,
or the public.
“Sociologist” is the principal interviewer during the intake process and is responsible for
interviewing all newly-received offenders to obtain sociological data. Data gathered during this
process is used in the development of the offender’s permanent records, which shall include
completing the classification profile/admission summary document, In-Cell Integration form, Case
History Notations, Additional Information reports, and the initial entry of data on UC00 and OI00
screens. Information received during this process shall also be used to determine the following:
whether an offender shall be referred for diagnostic testing or retesting; appropriate housing
specifications due to security concerns; identification of sex offenders; vulnerable, predatory, or
abusive characteristics; and other documentation.
“Special Needs Offender” is an offender who requires special consideration regarding unit of
assignment, housing, discipline, or job assignments; or an offender who requires treatment due to
medical needs, mental health needs, or needs relative to an intellectual impairment or physical
disability.
“Standardized Felony Judgment Form” is a standard form available through the Office of Court
Administration that is completed by the sentencing court and includes all of the elements required
pursuant to state law regarding a defendant’s conviction or acquittal. When transferring defendants
from county to the TDCJ, counties are required to deliver a copy of the judgment or probation
revocation order completed on a standardized felony judgment form.
“State Classification Committee (SCC)” is responsible for making initial custody and unit
assignments for prison offenders. The SCC is responsible for reviewing and approving prison
offenders for all inter-unit transfers; assignments to and release from administrative segregation; G1
custody designation, safekeeping status, emergency absences, and job assignments, when
appropriate. In addition, the SCC reviews and approves state jail offender assignments to
safekeeping and administrative segregation as well as all inter-unit transfers for state jail and SAFP
offenders.
“State Ready System” is a computer system developed by the TDCJ to collect and process data on
convicted felons still in the county jail, but ready for processing into the TDCJ. This does not apply
to offenders convicted of a state jail felony, or those sentenced to a SAFPF.

“Time-Earning Class” is a category assigned to each prison offender that dictates the amount of good
time credits an offender may be awarded each month.
”Transfer Facility” is a facility within the TDCJ that houses offenders undergoing intake processing
or pending assignment to a permanent facility. The TDCJ may not confine an offender in a transfer
facility longer than two years.
“Transient Status” is a status reserved for offenders who are assigned to a unit on a temporary basis
(not to exceed 30 calendar days), whose classification or status is pending review, or because bed
space is not available at the unit in the assigned custody.
“Transport Card” is a card maintained on each offender that records the offender’s photograph and
basic demographic information. This card is retained at the unit of assignment and is transferred
with the offender from unit to unit.
“Trusty Camp” is a self-contained, open-style dormitory located adjacent to and outside a main
prison unit’s security perimeter that houses offenders in outside trusty, G1, status.
“UC00” is a mainframe computer information system, also referred to as the Unit Classification
Review (UCR) program, which provides a record of an offender’s current and prior offenses,
institutional adjustment, housing and job assignment history, UCC and SCC decisions, custody
overrides, housing justifications, and current institutional disciplinary record.
“Unit” is the physical plant and property of a prison operated by the TDCJ or operated under contract
with any division of TDCJ.
“Unit Classification Case Manager” is responsible for collecting and reporting appropriate
information to the UCC that is necessary for making classification-related decisions and assisting
unit administration in maintaining compliance with this plan.
“Unit Classification Committee (UCC)” is responsible, at the unit level, for reviewing
newly-assigned offenders; making custody designation assignments, not including administrative
segregation or G1 custody; determining offenders’ cell integration status; and may make
recommendations to the SCC regarding the following: assignment of offenders to G1 custody;
decisions involving offenders in administrative segregation; and an offender's placement in or
removal from safekeeping status. The UCC also has the authority to make housing and job
assignments.
“Unit Classification Committee History Form” is a chronological record of an offender’s

appearances before the various classification committees and is retained in the offender’s unit folder
and updated as appropriate. This document provides a history of classification committee actions
and decisions concerning the offender.
“Visitors List” is the official list of names, phone numbers, and physical addresses of persons with
whom the offender wishes to visit during authorized visiting hours. The initial visitors list is

prepared during the intake process. Subsequent modifications to the list are approved or denied at
the offender’s unit of assignment. Each offender is allowed to have a maximum of 10 names on the
Visitors List.
“Windham School District (WSD)” is an independent school system established by law specifically
for offenders in the TDCJ. The WSD provides a range of services for academic and vocational
education at the elementary and secondary (GED) level, and provides pre-release programming for
offenders at each unit.

PROCEDURES
Each step of the classification process is described in the TDCJ Intake Procedures Manual (IPM)
and the TDCJ Unit Classification Procedures Manual (UCPM).
I. Intake
All newly-received offenders shall be provided with appropriate care and supervision. The
intake process shall consist of a series of phases or steps through which each newly-received
offender is processed to determine the offender’s needs and requirements, to include
supervision, treatment for medical and mental health, and education. Although many of the
steps in the process occur simultaneously, the intake process can generally be divided into the
following phases:
A. Receiving and Screening
All offenders received at TDCJ intake facilities are screened immediately upon
arrival. Commitment papers are reviewed for accuracy, offenders are searched for
contraband, and offender property and money are accounted for as outlined in AD-
03.72, “Offender Property,” and handled in accordance with established intake
procedures. Offenders receive hygienic attention and are provided immediate
medical and mental health care. Offenders are issued an Offender Orientation
Handbook and are given an opportunity to make commissary purchases. Death row
offenders receive an abbreviated version of the intake process and are transferred to
their unit of assignment the same day. Youthful offenders received at transfer/intake
facilities shall be transferred to the Byrd unit (male) or Hilltop unit (female) on the
first available chain.
B. Initial Housing Assignment
Newly-received TDCJ offenders are assigned to appropriate housing according to

security needs. Initial housing assignments at an intake facility shall be made on the
basis of the offender’s age; physical size; vulnerable, predatory, or abusive
characteristics; current offense of record; number of prior confinements; assessments;
and other security related characteristics; including information received prior to the
offender’s arrival, or from law enforcement and jail personnel who transported the
offender to the intake facility.
C. Orientation
Within one week of arrival at an intake facility, all newly-received offenders shall
receive a general orientation about TDCJ policies and procedures, rules, educational
services, and other offender activities and programs. Orientation may be conducted
in person, by video, or through provision of written orientation materials. Specific

orientation guidelines are outlined in the IPM-1.10 “Initial Orientation, and UCPM-
5.00, “Orientation Procedures.”
D. Medical and Mental Health Evaluation
1. All offenders who are committed to the TDCJ and received at an intake
facility are given a comprehensive medical examination and medical care
appropriate for their medical needs. The medical evaluation shall begin
during the receiving and screening phase of the intake process at the intake
facility. A comprehensive medical examination of each offender, as required
by the Offender Health Services Plan and consistent with the procedures and
guidelines established therein, shall be conducted by a physician and
qualified medical health care staff as soon as practical after admission.
2. Each offender shall be interviewed to determine if immediate medical or

mental health care is required. Offenders who require immediate medical or
mental health care shall be referred to the appropriate health services
professional staff for evaluation and treatment.
3. Each offender shall be required to present prescriptions and prescribed or

over-the-counter medications obtained by the offender prior to arrival at the
TDCJ. All prescriptions and medications shall be reviewed by a physician as
soon as possible to determine whether they shall be continued or replaced.
An offender who arrives with prescribed medication, to include psychotropic
medication, will not be deprived of that medication until a licensed physician
has examined the offender and made a medical determination for the
continuation or discontinuation of that medication. Additional information
regarding medical receiving and screening procedures are located in the
Correctional Managed Health Care Policy Manual.
4. Additional medical information shall be requested from outside sources to

verify an offender’s claims of previous medical treatment. Offenders with
special medical needs shall be referred to the appropriate professional
medical staff for further evaluation and treatment. The results of the medical
evaluation shall be recorded on all appropriate forms and forwarded to the
intake facility medical records office to be included in the offender’s medical
record.
5. All offenders shall undergo appropriate psychological screening as outlined

in the IPM-2.03, “Mental Health Screening,” and shall be provided
appropriate mental health care based on their needs. Offenders requiring
more extensive psychological testing shall be referred to the appropriate
mental health care staff for further evaluation, and the indicated treatment
provided.

E. Health Summary for Classification Form
1. After all appropriate medical and mental health evaluations of an offender are
conducted, a Health Summary for Classification Form is completed for the
offender, documenting recommendations or restrictions designated by the
professional medical and mental health care staff relative to the offender’s
unit, housing assignment, job assignment, method of transportation or
disciplinary procedures. The Health Summary for Classification Form shall
be used by medical and mental health professional staff to communicate any
and all restrictions to the classification committees regarding an offender’s
medical and mental health status and intellectual functioning, as well as any
restrictions related to an offender’s physical disabilities. The Health
Summary for Classification Form shall be forwarded to the UCC for making
initial classification decisions and recommendations. A copy of the Health
Summary for Classification Form shall be placed in the offender’s unit
classification folder.
2. The Health Summary for Classification Form shall be modified by

appropriate unit health care providers when changes in an offender’s
condition, including medical or mental health conditions, warrant such
modifications, and a copy of the Health Summary for Classification Form
shall be forwarded to the unit classification office to be included in the
offender’s unit classification folder, in accordance with the UCPM-9.00,
“Health Summary for Classification”. If a change in an offender’s medical
condition results in new job restrictions on the offender’s Health Summary
for Classification Form, the procedures outlined in AD-04.18, “Offender
Jobs: Assignments, Job Descriptions, Selection Criteria, Work Programs,
and Supervision,” shall be followed.
3. The recommendations and restrictions contained in the Health Summary for

Classification Form shall be binding on all classification committees and unit
classification and correctional staff.
4. The data entry of the Health Summary for Classification Form is essentially a
clerical function; however, all recommendations and restrictions regarding
unit assignment, housing assignment, job assignment, and disciplinary
procedures must be obtained from the orders of qualified medical and mental
health staff, as noted in the offender’s medical record. Guidelines for
completing the Health Summary for Classification Form have been developed
to assist those responsible for filling out the form.
F. Testing and Assessment
1. Testing shall be coordinated and conducted on a regularly scheduled basis by

intake staff as outlined in the IPM-2.01, “IQ Testing,” and IPM-2.02,

“Administrating and Uploading the Texas Christian University Drug Screen
(TCUDS)” and IPM-4.07, “Texas Risk Assessment System – Prison
Screening Tool (TRAS-PST).” Designated intake staff shall administer these
tests and explain to offenders the nature of the tests to be administered and
how the test results will be used. In addition, the intake staff shall ensure
tests are administered and scored in an appropriate, professional manner, and
ensure that the testing environment maximizes the validity of the test results.
2. Education staff shall provide an initial assessment, which includes the

administration of an educational achievement test, education history and
language survey, and a vocational interest inventory. All assessments shall
be administered in accordance with valid test procedures that insure integrity
and fidelity. Information derived from these initial assessments shall be used
along with instructional and organizational factors to guide educations
placement decisions.
G. Development of Offender Records
1. A comprehensive record of information shall be compiled at the intake

facility for each offender as outlined in the IPM-1.01, “Document Screening,”
and IPM-1.02, “Reception of TDCJ Offenders.” Intake facility staff shall
ensure reasonable efforts are used to obtain all available reports, records, and
documentary information necessary to make classification decisions.
2. Identification documents are completed on each offender to be included in the

offender’s permanent record, including photographs, state identification
number (SID) verification, and a record of any identifying characteristics,
such as tattoos, scars, and birth marks, as outlined in the TDCJ Intake
Procedures Manual, Chapter 3, “Photo & ID.” Information relevant to a
prison offender’s criminal and institutional history, to include offender
photographs, fingerprints, and other documents of identification, are scanned
into OnBase for electronic storage in the offender’s permanent records. With
the exception of private facilities, all state jails should be scanning new pen
packets into OnBase. During initial processing at the intake facility, the
offender is interviewed to substantiate and verify all information contained in
the offender’s records.
3. During intake interviews, detailed information is obtained from each

offender, including the offender’s family, social, criminal, military,
institutional, employment, educational, both academic and vocational, and
alcohol or drug histories, as outlined in the TDCJ Intake Procedures Manual,
Chapter 4, “Intake Interview.” This information shall be documented and
included in the offender’s electronic record for use in both initial and
subsequent classification decisions.

4. A sociologist shall summarize and document all necessary information on the
offender’s classification profile, and other appropriate documents. The
information for prison offenders is made available to the SCC and designated
CRO staff for use in making initial classification decisions and
recommendations. The information for state jail offenders is made available
to the UCC at the state jail facility.
H. Specific policies and procedures for each phase in the intake process are outlined in
the TDCJ Intake Procedures Manual.
II. Initial Classification
A. All newly received (NR) offenders are seen upon completion of the intake process by
the transfer facility UCC within 30 days, for assignment to a custody level, housing,
and job. Male offenders may remain in transfer status for up to two calendar years
before being temporarily assigned to the Byrd unit for review and transfer to their
permanent unit of assignment.
B. For various reasons including security, medical or mental health, education or

vocation, treatment or programming, offenders may be directly assigned from the
transfer facility to their permanent unit of assignment. Female offenders are not
routed through a central location, but rather are directly assigned from a transfer
facility to their permanent unit of assignment.
C. Initial Unit of Assignment
1. Each male prison offender shall be reviewed by the SCC within 30 calendar
days of the offender’s arrival at the Byrd unit to determine the offender’s unit
of assignment, unless exceptional circumstances render such timely
processing impossible. When making unit assignments and other
classification decisions and recommendations, the SCC attempts to balance
the individual offender’s needs with the needs of the TDCJ and the public.
State jail and SAFP offenders are assigned to a facility based on the county in
which they were convicted, with the exception of special needs offenders.
2. During the initial classification process for prison offenders, the SCC and
designated CRO staff shall review all of the information contained in the
offender’s classification profile, the Health Summary for Classification Form,
and other classification-related documents. The SCC shall assign the
offender to a unit and a custody designation. Each offender’s unit of
assignment is determined on the basis of age, the totality of offender’s record,
and the professional judgment of the SCC, and as dictated by the offender’s
medical, mental health, safety, and other needs. The SCC may assign the
offender to a specific job and may also make housing assignment
recommendations to the UCC.

D. Safety Needs
Consideration shall be given to the presence of enemies on a unit when making initial
unit assignments. The SCC shall also assess an offender’s requirement for
assignment to safekeeping status (general population) or protective.
E. Security Requirements
Most units are designed and equipped to accommodate offenders in various custody
designations and categories; however, certain units are primarily designated for
offenders with specific security characteristics. The objective of the SCC shall be to
balance the offender’s security needs with the requirements of the TDCJ relative to
the management of the total offender population and public safety.
F. Other Factors
1. When making initial unit assignments, the SCC shall take the following
factors into consideration:
a. Offender job skills and unit work requirements;
b. Educational and program needs of offenders; and
c. Availability of bed space in the appropriate custody designation.
2. The assignment of offenders to specific jobs by the SCC shall be based on the
offenders’ skills and the requirements of the TDCJ. SCC decisions regarding
housing assignments, such as cell housing only, shall be based on the safety
and security needs of the offenders and the mission of the TDCJ.
3. Reviews of unusual or difficult cases by the SCC are approved by the

chairperson or vice-chairperson of the SCC.
4. Recommendations and restrictions contained in the offender’s Health

Summary for Classification Form, and decisions made by the Health Services
liaison are binding on the SCC.
G. State Jail and SAFP Offenders
The intake and initial classification/assignment process for state jail and SAFP
offenders shall be completed within 10 working days.
III. Unit-Level Classification
All offenders, upon arrival at a unit of assignment, shall be reviewed by the UCC to

determine custody designation and other assignments, including housing and a job, as
appropriate to each offender’s case. All assignments shall be made on the basis of an
offender’s total record. TDCJ shall not exclude offenders from access to programs or
services on the basis of race, national origin, disability, religion, political belief, sexual
orientation or gender identity. No offender shall be denied access to jobs, recreation,
education, or other programs or opportunities because of health status, unless such denial is
required for medical or mental health reasons, as determined by a Health Services
representative.
The primary function and objective of the UCC shall be to classify each offender to ensure,
to the maximum extent possible, that the safety, security, and treatment needs of all offenders
are being met, and the safety and security of staff, the prison, and the public are maintained.
Upon arrival at a unit of assignment, a unit classification folder shall be updated for each
offender. Refer to the UCPM-3.00, “Offender Unit File,” for folder composition. This unit
classification folder shall contain copies of the offender’s Health Summary for Classification
Form, and Unit Classification Committee History Form, and may contain copies of the
offender’s UC00 computer screens as well as any other documents as may be required for the
offender’s initial classification review and for subsequent reviews and classification
committee hearings.
A. Initial Housing Assignment
1.
2.
3.

4. All documents relative to the offender’s treatment needs and requirements
shall be reviewed, as appropriate, by designated treatment professional staff
in order to develop the offender’s ITP. The ITP shall identify the specifics of
the offender’s treatment or program regimen and shall be maintained and
updated by designated unit staff, as required.
5. Offenders newly-assigned to a unit shall receive unit orientation within one

week of arrival, unless exceptional circumstances exist, as outlined in the
TDCJ Unit Classification Procedures Manual, Number 5.00, “Orientation
Procedures.”
B. Custody Assignment
1. Each offender is assigned to a custody designation appropriate for the

offender’s needs and requirements throughout incarceration.
2.
3. Custody assignment shall serve to indicate both the type of housing, cell or
dormitory, and the level of supervision required for the offender. Each
offender’s custody and classification status shall be reviewed at least annually
in accordance with the UCPM-1.06, “Classification Annual Reviews.”
4. In some instances, it is necessary to override the principal custody

designation. These overrides shall only be initiated in the interest of sound
correctional practices and in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the
UCPM-2.00, “Custody Designations.”
5. Prison Offenders
The principal custody designations for prison offenders are general

population Level 1 (G1), general population Level 2 (G2), general population
Level 3 (G3), general population Level 4 (G4), general population Level 5
(G5) and administrative segregation.
6. State Jail Offenders
The principal custody designations for state jail offenders are state jail Level

1 (J1), state jail Level 2 (J2), state jail Level 4 (J4), state jail Level 5 (J5), and
administrative segregation (SR).
7.
8.
9.
10. The characteristics and boundaries for each of the principal custody
designations are outlined in the UCPM-2.00, “Custody Designations,”
Attachment A. The categories, characteristics, and boundaries of
administrative segregation custodies are defined in the TDCJ Administrative
Segregation Plan. The categories, characteristics, and boundaries of
protective safekeeping are defined in the TDCJ Protective Safekeeping Plan.
11.

12.
C. Unit Classification Process
All UCC hearings shall be conducted in a manner to ensure each offender appearing
before the UCC is properly classified through the consistent and objective application
of classification criteria and on the basis of the offender’s safety, security, and
treatment needs. Each offender’s individual circumstances and unique characteristics
shall be taken into consideration throughout the classification process.
1. The UCC is responsible for making classification decisions or

recommendations at the unit level based on an offender’s needs.
2. The UCC shall review and complete Section IV of the Safe Prisons/PREA
Assessment Form, Attachment E, TDCJ Safe Prisons/PREA Operations
Manual on all new incoming chain offenders.

3. Appropriate custody designation shall be determined by use of the UC00
computer information system UCR program, which includes information
compiled during the intake process and throughout incarceration.
4. The UCC shall determine the offender’s in-cell integration status as outlined
in the UCPM-11.00, “In-Cell Integration.” A review of an offender’s in-cell
integration status shall include the identification of any restrictions for
double-cell housing, such as a requirement for separation from a particular
race or races.
5. The UCC shall review the offender’s ITP, which outlines the offender’s
treatment and programming needs. The offender may also be given a housing
and job assignment by the UCC.
6. Reviews of each offender’s custody designation, time-earning status, job

assignment, housing assignment, and treatment programming are conducted
regularly to ensure the proper classification of each offender during
incarceration as outlined in the UCPM-1.01, “Unit Classification Committee
(UCC) Composition and Proceedings,” 1.03, “Classification Committee
Reviews,” 1.06, “Classification Annual Reviews,” TDCJ Administrative
Segregation Plan and the TDCJ Protective Safekeeping Plan. Classification
reviews may also be conducted as a result of changes in an offender’s security
or treatment needs.
7. The recommendations and restrictions contained in each offender’s Health

Summary for Classification Form are binding on the UCC and on all unit
classification and correctional staff.
D. Reviews for Promotion
1. All offenders, to include those convicted of disciplinary offenses, shall be

afforded timely reviews for promotional consideration. Offenders who are
eligible for review will not automatically be promoted as a result of this
review process. Offenders must meet the criteria for promotion as
established in AD-04.81, “Review Process for Promotion in Time Earning
Class,” and meet the approval of UCC members based on sound correctional
practices.
2. The chief of unit classification shall be responsible for the maintenance of

records and the use of regularly-generated computer printouts for determining
an offender’s eligibility for promotional consideration.
E. Subsequent Reviews
1. All offenders shall be reviewed on a routine basis and as required by an

individual offender’s current needs and circumstances in order to ensure each
offender receives appropriate and adequate supervision, housing, job, and
program assignments appropriate for the needs and requirements of the
offender during incarceration. This shall be accomplished in accordance with
the UCPM-1.03, “Classification Committee Reviews,” and UCPM-1.04,
“Other Classification Committee Reviews.”
2. All classification decisions shall be made on the basis of the offender’s total
record. Offenders shall not be excluded from access to programs or services
on the basis of race, national origin, disability, religion, political belief,
sexual orientation or gender identity.
3. Offenders shall not be denied access to work, recreation, education, or other

programs or opportunities because of health status unless such denial is
required for medical or mental health reasons, as determined by a
representative of Health Services.
4. The primary function and objective of all classification committees and

classification staff, including individuals with authority to make
classification-related decisions, shall be to ensure each individual offender’s
safety, security, and treatment needs are being met, and the safety and
security of all offenders, staff, the prison, and the public are maintained.
IV. State Classification Committee
A. Prison Offenders
The SCC and designated staff of the CRO are responsible for making initial unit
assignment of prison offenders. The SCC is responsible for reviewing and approving
prison offenders for all inter-unit transfers; all placement, removals, and reviews of
administrative segregation offenders; G1 custody designation; safekeeping and
protective safekeeping status; and the approval or denial of emergency absence
requests.
B. State Jail Offenders
The SCC shall review and approve state jail offender assignments to safekeeping,
protective safekeeping, and administrative segregation.
C. Scheduled Reviews
SCC members shall regularly visit units in order to conduct scheduled reviews of
offenders assigned to administrative segregation as required by the TDCJ
Administrative Segregation Plan and the TDCJ Protective Safekeeping Plan.

D.
E. Security Precaution Designator Review Committee (SPDRC)
The SCC chairperson shall also serve as a member of the SPDRC. As a member of
the SPDRC, the SCC chairperson shall review offender files to determine eligibility
for removal of an SPD, or to retain an SPD, if appropriate.
F. Health Summary for Classification Form
SCC shall follow the recommendations and restrictions contained within an

offender’s Health Summary for Classification Form.
V. Offender Housing Assignments
A. Each offender shall be housed to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, the safety,
security, and treatment needs of all offenders are being met, and the safety and
security of staff and the prison are maintained.
B. All offender housing assignments, including assignment to a unit and to specific

housing areas, shall be made on the basis of rational, objective criteria, and not on the
basis of race, color, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
C. Housing assignments shall be made in accordance with the guidelines and procedures
established in AD-04.17, “Offender Housing Assignment Criteria and Procedures,
AD-04.68, “Offenders Requiring Single-Cell Housing,” the TDCJ Administrative
Segregation Plan, TDCJ Classification Plan, TDCJ Protective Safekeeping Plan,
TDCJ Safe Prisons/PREA Plan, Correctional Managed Health Care Policy Manual,
and the UCPM-4.06, “Housing for Offenders Convicted of Selected Disciplinary
Offenses.”
D. The TDCJ may consider information or factors from UCPM-2.03, “Safekeeping

Status,” section 1.A., if any, when making housing assignments, or to inform bed,
work and education and program assignments with the goal of keeping safe those
offenders at high risk of being sexually victimized from those at risk of being
sexually abusive.
VI. Offender Job Assignments
A. Offenders shall be assigned jobs that ensure the safety, security, treatment, and
rehabilitative needs of all offenders are met, and the safety and security of staff and

the prison are maintained.
B. All offender job assignments shall be made on the basis of rational, objective criteria,
taking into consideration each individual offender’s safety, security, treatment, and
rehabilitative needs. Job assignments shall not be made on the basis of disability,
race, color, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.
C. Job assignments shall be made in accordance with AD-04.18, the TDCJ

Classification Plan, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Policy Manual.
VII. Appeals of Classification Decisions
A. The unit administration and the UCC may appeal classification decisions by filing an
appeal with the DRB, as outlined in AD-04.32, “Function of the Departmental
Review Board in Classification Appeals.” The DRB has final authority for staff
appeals of offender classification decisions.
B. Offenders may appeal classification decisions by filing a grievance in accordance

with offender grievance procedures.
VIII. Operational Components
The offender classification system is composed of several operational components

established or designated to provide uniformity and consistency in both the development and
implementation of classification-related policies and procedures. These components consist
of the individuals who have varying degrees of authority over and responsibility for the
operation and management of the offender classification system.
The following is a description of the composition, authority, and responsibilities of the

principal operational components of the TDCJ classification system. This is an overview and
does not provide a comprehensive description of all components or responsibilities of the
classification system.
A. Classification Committees
1. Unit Classification Committee (UCC)
Details of the composition and proceedings of the UCC are outlined in the
UCPM-1.01, “Unit Classification Committee (UCC) Composition and
Proceedings.”
a. Composition, separated into five categories
(1) Chairperson

Shall be a warden, assistant warden, or major. In exceptional
circumstances, a captain or the chief of unit classification may
act as the chairperson and shall attach written documentation
to the docket describing the circumstances.
(2) Correctional Staff Member
Shall include, on a rotating basis, an individual with the rank

of lieutenant or above; department head or supervisor from
industry, agriculture, construction, maintenance, food
services, grievance, law library, commissary, unit supply, or
counsel substitute; or the unit risk manager.
(3) Treatment Staff Member
Shall include, on a rotating basis, the unit health

administrator, assistant unit health administrator, chaplain,
WSD principal or designee, excluding clerical staff, Sex
Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) administrator, Youthful
Offender Program (YOP) administrator, reentry case manager,
Rehabilitation Programs Division (RPD) unit staff, mail room
supervisor, grievance investigator, staff services officer,
intake coordinator, or law library supervisor.
(4) Classification Staff Member
Shall be the chief of unit classification, unit classification case

manager, or countroom administrative assistant II. These
individuals may serve as voting members on the same
committee if the chief of unit classification is the chairperson.
All members in this category may sit as either treatment or
security members.
(5) Additional Member(s)
May include a Safe Prisons/PREA manager, unit

psychologist, physician, registered nurse, licensed vocational
nurse, or physician’s assistant. The appropriate health
services specialist is a required member of the committee in
cases where the chairperson has determined there is a need for
more information than is provided on the offender’s current
HEALTH SUMMARY FOR CLASSIFICATION FORM ,
and in cases when a conflict or problem exists in terms of an
offender’s job or program assignment relative to the
health-related restrictions noted on the offender’s HEALTH

SUMMARY FOR CLASSIFICATION FORM and the
conflict or problem cannot be resolved informally by the
classification staff member.
A unit Safe Prisons/PREA manager or designee shall be a

voting member of the UCC for the semi-annual review of
transgender or intersex offenders.
A Safe Prisons/PREA manager or designee should also be a

voting member of the UCC in cases involving complaints of
sexual abuse or sexual harassment, whenever feasible.
A treatment program (SOTP, PRTC/IPTC, etc.) member shall

be a voting member of the initial UCC for offenders who will
participate in a unit treatment program. This staff member
shall provide the initial UCC with information relative to the
offender’s treatment needs. A treatment program staff
member shall also participate, as needed, in UCC meetings
involving program participants when the committee’s
decisions could, in any way, affect the delivery of treatment.
b. Quorum
Shall be the chairperson and two voting members, with only one
member per category of member. Each voting member has one vote,
and the majority vote rules. With the exception of the chairperson,
who will vote last, committee members may vote in any order, but
shall verbally articulate their vote so that it can be reflected
appropriately.
c. Authority and Responsibility
(1) Promotion in time-earning status or change in custody

designation, excluding G1, administrative segregation, or
protective safekeeping;
(2) May make housing assignment decisions within an offender’s

custody designation. The decision to assign an offender to a
housing area outside the classified custody designation must
be a committee decision, and shall require a written
justification;
(3) Determinations to single-cell offenders identified by the UCC

as too vulnerable to be safely housed with another offender
while in general population;

(4) Determinations regarding each offender’s in-cell integration
status, as reflected on the In-Cell Integration Form. This
responsibility does not include offenders assigned to transfer
facilities, state jails or SAFP facilities;
(5) Conduct major program changes;
(6) Conduct case reviews of offenders upon conviction of a major

disciplinary infraction;
(7) Review all major disciplinary cases for G5/J5 offenders who
are assaultive or aggressive in nature for possible assignment
to administrative segregation;
(8) Conduct case reviews of offenders who cannot be housed in

dormitories, regardless of custody designation due to
assaultive behavior and other dorm criteria;
(9) Schedule offenders for subsequent classification committee

reviews;
(10) Review the Safe Prisons/PREA Assessment form from the

TDCJ Safe Prisons/PREA Operations Manual;
(11) Make recommendations to the SCC, when appropriate,

regarding:
(a) The assignment to, or removal from, safekeeping

status considering UCPM-02.03 section 1.A. factors
(b) The assignment to, or removal from, protective

safekeeping status considering UCPM-02.04 section
1.A. factors and the Protective Safekeeping Plan;
(c) Offender protection requests; and
(d) The placement and removal of SPD codes.
d. The offender’s current Health Summary for Classification Form,

which is presented as part of the case review, is binding on the UCC.
2. Administrative Segregation Committee (ASC)
a. Composition:

(1) Chairperson
Shall be the warden or security supervisor with the rank of

captain or above.
(2) Member
Shall be a administrative segregation supervisor with the rank

of, lieutenant or above, or the chief of classification.
(3) Additional Member
Shall be a correctional staff member assigned to

administrative segregation.
(4) Member
May be a representative from Health Services, as needed.
b. Quorum:
Shall consist of the chairperson and two voting members. Each

voting member has one vote, and the majority vote rules. Committee
members may vote in any order, with the exception of the
chairperson, who shall vote last. Members shall verbally articulate
their vote so that it can be reflected appropriately.
c. Authority and Responsibility:
The RHC shall conduct the 10-day due process hearing to determine
whether or not an offender shall be assigned to administrative
segregation status and conduct regularly scheduled hearings as
determined by the offender’s administrative segregation level. The
RHC is also responsible for identifying or confirming special
confinement conditions for administrative segregation offenders. The
assignment of offenders to administrative segregation requires final
approval by the SCC.
3. State Classification Committee (SCC)
a. Composition:
(1) Chairperson

(2) Vice-Chairperson
(3) Members
b. Authority and Responsibility:
Authority is granted to individual SCC members to make routine,

case-by-case decisions relative to daily operations; however,
decisions regarding difficult or unusual cases shall be referred by
SCC members to the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the SCC.
The recommendations and restrictions contained in the offender’s
current Health Summary for Classification Form are binding on the
SCC.
(1) Conduct reviews and approve the following for prison

offenders:
(a) Offender’s initial unit assignment and custody

designation;
(b) Skilled labor or specialized job assignments, when

appropriate;
(c) Program placement;
(d) Inter-unit transfers;
(e) Emergency absences;
(f) The assignment to, and removal from, safekeeping

status considering UCPM-02.03 section 1.A. factors;
(g) The assignment to, or removal from, protective

safekeeping status as relates to the Protective
Safekeeping Plan;
(h) Assignments to G1 custody;
(i) Decisions involving administrative segregation

offenders, including the assignment to, and release
from, administrative segregation; and
(j) Conduct regularly scheduled review hearings for

offenders assigned to administrative segregation, in
accordance with the TDCJ Administrative

Segregation Plan.
(2) Make determinations to single-cell offenders identified by the

SCC as too vulnerable to be safely housed with another
offender while in general population;
(3) Make decisions for the removal of SPD codes from offender
records. (SCC chairperson and vice-chairperson only);
(4) Have the authority to override UCC decisions in order to

maintain the safety, security, and orderly management of
offenders;
(5) Shall function as first responders to emergency situations and

participate in serious incident reviews;
(6) Make decisions to resolve unit capacity issues;
(7) The chairperson of the SCC is responsible for the supervision

of the SCC; and
4. Departmental Review Board (DRB)
a. Composition:
(1) Chairperson
Shall be the assistant director of Classification and Records.
(2) Member
Shall be the regional director for the unit filing the appeal.
(3) Member
Shall be the deputy director for Support Operations.
b. Quorum:
Shall be the assistant director of Classification and Records and the

appropriate regional director. The deputy director will vote if a
unanimous decision cannot be reached by the quorum. In a DRB
member’s absence, the designated acting official may vote in that
member's place.

Functioning at the central administration level, the DRB is

responsible for reviewing and rendering final decisions for all staff
appeals of offender classification decisions made by either the UCC
or SCC as outlined in AD-04.32. The DRB shall consult with the
Health Services liaison to the SCC prior to rendering a final decision
in cases involving special needs offenders if additional information is
required.
5. Security Precaution Designator Review Committee (SPDRC)
a. Composition:
(1) Unit warden;
(2) Regional director;
(3) SCC chairperson; and
(4) Deputy director for Support Operations
b. Quorum:
Shall consist of the appropriate regional director, unit warden, and the
SCC chairperson. The deputy director shall vote if a unanimous
decision cannot be reached by the quorum.
The SPDRC is responsible for rendering decisions on UCC

recommendations for the removal, placement, or retention of SPD
codes in accordance with AD-04.11, “Security Precaution
Designators.”
B. Unit Administration
1. The unit warden, along with the assistant warden, major, correctional
supervisor(s), and chief of unit classification, shall have individual authority,
if authorized by the unit warden, to make the following offender
classification decisions or requests to the SCC, as long as the changes are not
inconsistent with the recommendations and restrictions noted on the
offender’s current Health Summary for Classification Form are:
a. Changes in housing assignments not involving changes in custody

designations;
b. Changes in job assignments that do not significantly affect other areas

of the ITP;
c. Request emergency inter-unit transfers for security or safety concerns,

or based on the recommendations of medical or mental health
treatment staff;
d. Request non-routine inter-unit transfers to the SCC via the regional

director’s office;
e. Recommend identification of security threat group members and refer

these cases to the Security Threat Group Management Office;
f. Request the removal of offenders from administrative segregation;

and
g. Request the SCC review eligible offenders for G1 custody

consideration without UCC review. State jail offenders shall be
reviewed and approved at the unit level by the UCC for J1 custody
assignment.
2. Unit administration, including the administrative segregation supervisor, if

authorized by the warden, can individually authorize an offender’s immediate
placement into administrative segregation and make initial decisions for
special confinement conditions, in accordance with the TDCJ Administrative
Segregation Plan. The review and concurrence of the RHC at the initial due
process hearing is required. Final review and approval of offender
assignments to administrative segregation must be obtained from the SCC.
3. The offender’s current Health Summary for Classification Form are is

binding on all classification and correctional staff. All treatment
professionals’ housing and program assignment restrictions for offenders
with medical, mental health, or intellectual impairment problems, or physical
handicaps, as indicated on the Health Summary for Classification Form are,
must be followed. Cases including conflicting security and treatment
concerns will be referred to the chief of unit classification for informal
resolution with coordination from the appropriate department(s), or for
presentation to the UCC, as required for final resolution consistent with the
Health Summary for Classification Form are.
C. Central Office Classification Staff
The following central office classification staff are responsible for the development,

implementation, and monitoring of policies and procedures for the management of
the offender classification system, as approved by the CID director.
1. Assistant director of Classification and Records
2. Chairperson of the SCC
3. Manager of Classification Operations
4. Vice-chairperson of the SCC
5. Program supervisor of unit classification and countroom operations
6. Administrator of Intake Processing
7. SCC staff
8. Unit classification and countroom coordinators
D. Unit Classification Administration
1. Unit classification administration is responsible for monitoring unit-level

classification decisions in order to ensure the effectiveness of existing
procedures, adherence to TDCJ policy, and the consistent and objective
application of classification-related policies and procedures. Unit
classification administration is also responsible for the initiation,
development, and maintenance of all computer programs relating to this plan.
2. Unit classification administration provides initial and refresher training for

the implementation of this plan.
a. Initial training is provided to all newly-hired chiefs of unit

classification, unit classification case managers, staff services
officers, intake coordinators, sociologists, and SAFP intake
interviewers. This training emphasizes proper offender classification
procedures, the classification committee process, custody
designations, and other information relevant to classification matters.
b. Refresher training is provided to unit classification staff and other

unit administrative staff, as needed, to ensure a continued
understanding of the classification process and procedures.
E. Regional Directors
The regional directors are responsible for reviewing and rendering decisions on all

offender grievances filed at the regional level, including offenders’ appeals of
classification decisions, as part of the second step of the grievance process. Other
classification-related responsibilities of the regional directors include membership on
the DRB and the SPDRC.
F. Classification and Records Office (CRO)
The CRO is responsible for maintaining records for all offenders; active, discharged,
and those on supervision. The CRO processes all records for emergency absence
requests, offender good time credit awards, coordinating the release process for
special needs offenders, and is responsible for preparing offender records in cases
requiring review by the SCC.
G. Unit-Level Classification Staff
1. Chief of Unit Classification is responsible for the following:
a. Coordinating and serving as a voting member of the UCC;
b. Reviewing and maintaining committee documentation, offender unit

files, and automated records;
c. Providing offender case management to include the review of

housing, work assignments, and changes that impact medical
restrictions, security needs, custody designations, and release from the
TDCJ;
d. Overseeing the processing of requests and identified needs through

coordination with the UCC, SCC, and unit administration;
e. Conducting and overseeing offender orientation;
f. Training and supervising employees;
g. Monitoring and evaluating unit capacity and offender strength; and
h. Providing assistance and serving as a point of contact for offender

families, TDCJ administrators, and other divisions and state agencies.
2. Unit Classification Case Manager
The unit classification case manager is responsible for the following:
a. Assisting with the coordination of the UCC;

b. Serving as a voting member of the UCC;
c. Maintaining UCC documentation, offender unit files, and automated

records;
d. Providing case management to offenders, which includes reviewing

housing and work assignments and changes that impact medical
restriction, security needs, and custody designations;
e. Conducting offender unit orientation;
f. Training and supervising staff;
g. Responding to offender status inquiries; and
h. Assisting the chief of unit classification with their duties.
H. Health Services Liaison to the State Classification Committee
The Health Services liaison to the SCC advises the CRO staff, the SCC, and the
DRB, when requested, regarding classification matters involving special needs
offenders. The Health Services liaison is also responsible for the following:
1. Reviewing all inter-unit transfers requested by Health Services in accordance

with current Health Services policies and procedures; maintaining a
permanent file of all required documents; and providing recommendations to
the SCC with the concurrence of the chief of professional services for Health
Services;
2. Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the capabilities of the Health Services

Department at each unit;
3. Ensuring that documentation provided to the CRO and SCC by Health

Services adequately reflects an offender’s current health status, and assisting
the SCC in determining the appropriate unit of assignment for special needs
offenders; and
4. Requesting pertinent classification and health-related information from

correctional staff, unit classification staff, and unit Health Services staff in
order to effectively resolve concerns.
IX. Monitoring of the Classification System
The implementation of this plan, including both the process of classification and
classification-related decisions, shall be closely monitored by central office classification

staff to ensure adherence to TDCJ policy and the requirements imposed by the PREA
standards, as well as consistent and objective application of classification-related policies and
procedures, and to determine the effectiveness of those policies and procedures and make
appropriate modifications, as necessary.
A. Central Office Classification Staff
The central office classification staff shall be responsible for ensuring the
classification system is operating consistently and uniformly on all units in
accordance with this plan. This shall be accomplished through direct unit contact
and meetings with the wardens for the purpose of:
1. Monitoring unit classification processes and classification-related decisions;
2. Identifying and resolving procedural inconsistencies, which may include

proposing corrective actions; and
3. Assessing training needs and developing training programs for unit

classification staff.
B. Unit Classification
1. Unit classification processes and unit-level classification decisions shall be

monitored by the CRO Unit Classification administrative staff, and shall
include the following:
a. Regular reviews of classification decisions and recommendations

made by classification committees at each unit, to include an
assessment of the adequacy of committee documentation. This shall
be accomplished through regular random sampling, which may
include computer-generated reports, Classification Committee
Dockets, and Unit Classification Committee History Forms, and by
observing committees and interviews with randomly selected unit
staff; and
b. Visits to each unit once every six months to interview classification

and countroom staff and observe classification committee hearings to
determine the effectiveness of classification training and to monitor
compliance with established policies and procedures.
c. Conduct division-level audits of all units once every three years to

identify compliance with this plan and unit classification procedures.
2. When possible and appropriate, findings of noncompliance shall be resolved

informally through consultation with appropriate unit staff. If problems

cannot be resolved informally, the findings of noncompliance shall be clearly
documented and reported for resolution to the assistant director of
Classification and Records, the appropriate regional director, and the warden.
3. The assistant director of Classification and Records shall be responsible for

ensuring that adequate and effective action is taken to correct all areas of
noncompliance with established policies and procedures of the classification
system.
C. Regional Directors
Functioning at the administrative level, each regional director is responsible for

overseeing the operations of all units in their respective region, to include ensuring
the proper and successful implementation of this plan at each unit.

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TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DIVISION

Supersedes: Classification Plan, August 2014

TDCJ Classification Plan i April 2018

Receiving and Screening..............................................................................................................13

Initial Housing Assignment .........................................................................................................13

Medical and Mental Health Evaluation .......................................................................................14

Health Summary for Classification Form ....................................................................................15

Testing and Assessment ...............................................................................................................15

Development of Offender Records ..............................................................................................16

INITIAL CLASSIFICATION ..................................................................................................17

Initial Unit of Assignment............................................................................................................17

Safety Needs ................................................................................................................................18

Security Requirements .................................................................................................................18

Other Factors ................................................................................................................................18

State Jail and SAFP Offenders .....................................................................................................18

UNIT LEVEL CLASSIFICATION .........................................................................................18

Initial Housing Assignment .........................................................................................................17

Custody Assignment ....................................................................................................................19

TDCJ Classification Plan i April 2018

Reviews for Promotion ................................................................................................................23

Subsequent Reviews ....................................................................................................................23

STATE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE ..........................................................................24

Prison Offenders ..........................................................................................................................24

State Jail Offenders ......................................................................................................................24

Scheduled Reviews ......................................................................................................................24

Security Precaution Designator Review Committee ....................................................................25

Health Summary for Classification Form ....................................................................................25

OFFENDER HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS..............................................................................25

OFFENDER JOB ASSIGNMENTS .........................................................................................25

APPEALS OF CLASSIFICATION DECISIONS ..................................................................26

OPERATIONAL COMPONENTS ..........................................................................................26

Classification Committees ...........................................................................................................26

Unit Classification Committee (UCC) .............................................................................26

Administrative Segregation Committee (ASC) ...............................................................29

State Classification Committee (SCC) ............................................................................30

Departmental Review Board (DRB) ................................................................................32

Security Precaution Designator Review Committee (SPDRC) .......................................33

Unit Administration .....................................................................................................................33

Central Office Classification Staff ...............................................................................................34

Unit Classification Administration ..............................................................................................35

TDCJ Classification Plan ii April 2018

Unit Level Classification Staff.....................................................................................................36

Chief of Unit Classification .............................................................................................36

Unit Classification Case Manager....................................................................................36

Health Services Liaison to the State Classification Committee...................................................37

MONITORING OF THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM .....................................................37

Central Office Classification Staff ...............................................................................................38

Unit Classification .......................................................................................................................38

Regional Directors .......................................................................................................................39

TDCJ Classification Plan iii April 2018

Offender classification is a process that systematically groups offenders according to security,

Classification strives to achieve the following goals:

1. To gather and record information relevant to each offender’s criminal, social,

2. To provide and maintain procedures for expeditiously identifying offenders who

4. To provide offenders with opportunity for personal improvement and rehabilitation

5. To maintain a dynamic classification process that provides incentive for offenders to

TDCJ Classification Plan 1 April 2018

8. To maintain a dynamic and flexible classification system so that changes in

TDCJ Classification Plan 2 April 2018

“Administrative Segregation” is a non-punitive, maximum custody status involving separation of an

(1) Administrative Segregation/Security Detention - An offender in this category requires