1. (1) Authority: The authority for these rules is granted to the Director of the Department of Corrections in accordance with ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030, and 423.075.

2. (2) Purpose: The purpose of these rules is to:

   1. (a) Establish Department of Corrections policy and procedures for identifying and assigning an appropriate custody level to each inmate committed or transferred to the Department of Corrections and housed in a Department of Corrections operated or contracted facility or those adult-sentenced youths in the custody of Oregon Youth Authority;
   2. (b) Provide information for population management and planning; and
   3. (c) Provide information to support the appropriate distribution of correctional resources for both inmate and agency needs.

3. (3) Policy:

   1. (a) Custody Level: It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to assign each inmate committed or transferred to the custody of the department the lowest custody level deemed appropriate and to:

      1. (A) Provide the amount of supervision necessary to account for the inmate's whereabouts;
      2. (B) Provide for the safe, secure, and orderly operation of Department of Corrections facilities;
      3. (C) Provide reasonable protection to the general community, staff, and inmate population;
      4. (D) Allow each inmate to exercise independent responsibility commensurate with his or her demonstrated ability and behavior; and
      5. (E) Ensure the provision of appropriate inmate health care, mental health treatment, education, and work programs.
   2. (b) Housing Assignments: It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to assign an inmate housing consistent with his/her custody level, demonstrated behavior, and special needs. No Level 5 inmates shall be housed in a general population housing unit.

   3. (c) The following classification terminology directly corresponds when interpreting DOC administrative rules, policies, or procedures:

      1. (A) Level 5 — Maximum.
      2. (B) Level 4 — Close.
      3. (C) Level 3 — Medium.
      4. (D) Level 2 — Minimum.
      5. (E) Level 1 — Minimum.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

History

Renumbered from 291-104-0005 by DOC 11-2008, f. 5-8-08, cert. ef. 5-13-08
DOC 4-2006, f. 5-31-06, cert. ef. 6-1-06
CD 20-1994, f. 9-21-94, cert. ef. 10-1-94
CD 18-1993, f. 6-7-93, cert. ef. 6-9-93
CD 14-1991, f. & cert. ef. 6-7-91
CD 2-1989, f. & cert. ef. 2-6-89