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Running Header: Inmate Classification in Corrections
Inmate Classifications in Correctional Facilities
Elizabeth Hall
Kaplan University
CJ130-02 Introduction to Corrections
Amy Ng

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Inmate Classifications in Correctional Facilities
Introduction
When prisoners are taken into a correctional facility, they must pass through an intake
system in order to be classified based on what their assessment infers. Classifications in
corrections began with the idea that the inmates must be sick, that is why they commit crimes.
Our laws specify that we provide total care for inmates including medical, spiritual, and
psychiatric needs. Classification used as a tool for treatment has had many issues in our
correctional facilities. Currently we use this classification system as a management tool to keep
order and control of the inmates. From the early beginnings of classification for medical
reasons, to the use today as a control measure, the classification system is a powerful tool for
management and treatment of offenders. (Bartollas, 2002)
Classification in Corrections
Upon arrival in a correctional facility, inmates enter into an assessment center where they
are assigned institutions based on what classification the assessment infers. This center is an
intake for offenders, and could be located as a part of the facility in larger institutions, or
separate. By law, prisoners are entitled to medical care, mental health services, programs, and
basic care needs such as spiritual services, visitation rights services, and a sufficient law library.
The classification system allows the correctional system to assess inmate’s needs such as, mental
health issues, segregation issues, medical and program treatment needs. (Bartollas, 2002)
The idea of classification systems started with a psychological treatment approach. The
psychological evaluation of the prisoner was the beginning of the treatment process. This idea is
called the medical model, and beliefs at the time held that the inmates must be sick. In the

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1970’s the reintegration model was built in to the classification system. This model asserts that
inmates are processed in three stages, assessment, programming, and evaluation. This model
gives the inmates the opportunity to make choices within the opportunities available in the
system. It also emphasized the total needs of the individual prisoner. (Bartollas, 2002)
Classification used as a tool for treatment has had many issues in our correctional
facilities and was reformed into the system we have today. It is used as a tool for management
and is more concerned with keeping control and order in the system due to the increasing number
of offenders being incarcerated, institutional violence, and the growing number of active prison
gang members. Unit management, which is used the most, started in the Federal Bureau of
Prisons during the 1970’s, to control gangs. Inmates were classified as gang leaders, normal
prisoners with minimal adjustment problems, and extra violent inmates who need to be
segregated from the rest of the prisoners. (Bartollas, 2002)
The most effective treatment programs are psychological technologies, behavioral
therapy, and drug related programs. Psychological technologies refer to psychotherapy,
transactional analysis, reality therapy, and the therapeutic community. Behavioral therapy uses
positive and negative reinforcement to rehabilitate offenders. Positive reinforcement can include
additional privileges, praise, money, or extra attention. Negative reinforcement could be extra
confinement, harassment, and ridicule. Drug and substance related programs have augmented in
the last few decades. These programs are designed to reduce recidivism by helping offenders
deal with addictions, which are an increasing problem with offenders. The programs exist as
guest facilities in the system, which allows them to focus more on treatment and less on prison
rules and regulations. They are also funded separately so that earmarked funds for the programs
go to the programs themselves instead of in the general budget of the facility. They use

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treatment methods comparable to those of free citizens instead of traditional prison programs.
The providers are not traditionally from prison backgrounds. These programs also require signed
statements of program rules, and clear punishments for breaking these rules. One of the best
features of these programs is that the providers maintain contact with the inmates in their
caseloads after release. Alcoholics and Narcotics anonymous also operate within the
correctional system. (Bartollas, 2002)
Conclusion
From the early beginnings of classification for medical reasons, to the use today as a
control measure, the classification system is a powerful tool for management and treatment of
offenders. Dealing with the actual problems of inmates instead of just putting them in a cell and
forgetting about them is the main goal of these systems and programs involved with the
classification process. Helping prisoners meet their medical, spiritual, and addiction problems
are effective ways of reducing recidivism. We have come a long way from the dungeons of the
17th and 18th centuries, but there is still much work to be done in figuring effective ways to
reduce recidivism.

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References:
Bartollas, C. (2002). Invitation to Corrections. Boston. Allyn and Bacon
Kentucky Corrections, (2007) Classification of the Inmate 501 KAR 6:020. Retrieved from:
http://corrections.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/28B9DD8D-6E89-4994-9893-
7DD432FAB758/125543/1893.pdf