Family Orientation Manual: Inmate Classification - Utah Department of Corrections

Q. How are inmates classified?
A. Inmates are classified to place them in the proper housing unit and security level in an attempt to provide safety for the community, staff, and other inmates. Inmates are initially classified in the R&O unit. They are reviewed or reassessed for level changes at least once a year, or more often according to their projected release date. There are five levels of classification. Most inmates have a level 3 or 4 classification:

Classification
Maximum-security
Level 1 – Death row

Level 2 - Close custody

Medium security
Level 3 - Inside compound

Level 4 - On property

Minimum-security
Level 5 - Off property

Facilities
Uinta facilities
Highly structured and supervised environment; typically confined to cell 23 hours a day; restrained in the presence of non-inmates.

Typically confined to cell 21 hours a day; must be escorted by an officer when leaving the unit; restrained in the presence of non-inmates.

All facilities except Uinta and Lone Peak.
Must remain inside a perimeter fence.

Must stay on Prison property but may go outside the fence on supervised work details. Need a parole date to reach this level.

Medium security facilities, Lone Peak, and Promontory
May, with approval, leave Prison property (home visits, off-property Utah Correctional Industries (UCI) work detail, etc.)

Officers also classify male inmates based on their personality type, which is determined by a combination of past records (behavior), observation, and the inmate's offense. Three categories are used:

1.         Kappa - assertive and sometimes aggressive,
2.         Omega - not usually the aggressor or the victim, and
3.         Sigma - more passive and easygoing

Inmates are housed based on the total score of their classification, and housed accordingly. Inmates with the same personality type are housed together. Kappa and Sigma inmates are not housed together. However, some exception may be made for programming.

Q. What if an inmate disagrees with his/her classification?
A. Inmates may challenge a classification decision by completing a classification challenge form and submitting it to the Classification Review Officer (CRO). A challenge must be based on one or more of the following: 1) decision was based on insufficient or incorrect information, 2) procedures were not properly followed, or 3) the move to a less-secure classification jeopardizes the inmate=s safety or security. The Classification Review Officer’s decision is final.

Utah State Prison Orientation for Inmate Friends and Family

INMATE CLASSIFICATION