Perf-Based Stds, Juvenile Correctional Facilities, 5th Ed_DEC 2024

Part 6: Programs and Services

6B. - PERFORMANCE-BASED STANDARD: CLASSIFICATION Juveniles are classified to the most appropriate level of programming both on admission and on review of their status.

EXPECTED PRACTICE Classification Plan 5-JCF-6B-01 (Ref 4-JCF-5B-01)

There is a written classification plan that contains: 1. Classification policies and detailed procedures for implementation. 2 Level of risk presented 3 Type of housing required 4 Participation in facility and community programs 5 Criteria for changing the status of the juveniles with procedural safe guards when there is an increase in custody level or a transfer The plan is reviewed annually, updated as necessary, and made available to staff involved in the classification process. Comment : Proper, empirically validated classification is critical to the public safe ty and rehabilitation mission focused on the level of risk presented and type of housing needed.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Review of classification manual; staff interviews; annual re views; updates.

Initial Classification 5-JCF-6B-02 (Rev 4-JCF-5B-02)

Initial classification must be completed within 21 days of admission from court and seven days after transfer from another facility Comment : Juvenile offenders should be removed from the reception unit/program as soon as possible so they may be assigned to a program most appropriate to their needs and interests. At initial classification, each juvenile should be assigned to a staff member to ensure supervision and personal contact. A unit management team may perform this function. Upon transfer from the reception/classification unit, each juvenile offender should have a staff member assigned to ensure personal contact and supervision. The unit team may fulfill this need.

Protocols : Written policy and procedure.

Process Indicators : Review completion of classification exercise with admission dates of juvenile offenders—both new admissions and transfers; staff interviews; juvenile-offender interviews.

114 Juvenile Correctional Facilities, Fifth Edition