1. (a) Each sheriff/operator shall develop and implement an objective classification plan approved by the commission by January 1, 1997. The plan shall include principles, procedures, instruments and explanations for classification assessments, housing assignments, reassessments and inmate needs. Existing classification and risk assessment plans shall remain valid until plans utilizing an objective classification system are submitted and approved by the commission. The following principles and procedures shall be addressed:

   1. (1) inmates shall be classified and housed in the least restrictive housing available without jeopardizing staff, inmates or the public, utilizing the following risk factors:

      1. (A) current offense or conviction;
      2. (B) offense history;
      3. (C) escape history;
      4. (D) institutional disciplinary history;
      5. (E) prior convictions;
      6. (F) alcohol and/or drug abuse; and
      7. (G) stability factors.
   2. (2) classification criteria shall not include race, ethnicity or religious preference;
   3. (3) custody levels and special housing needs shall be assessed to include minimum, medium and maximum custody levels and the placement and release of inmates to and from special units including protective custody, administrative separation, disciplinary separation and mental and medical health housing;
   4. (4) minimum and maximum custody level inmates shall be housed separately. All other custody level inmates should be housed separately. When under direct, visual supervision, inmates of different custody levels may simultaneously participate in work and program activities;
   5. (5) juveniles shall be separated by sight and sound from adults in accordance with the Family Code, §51.12;
   6. (6) female inmates shall be separated by sight and sound from male inmates. When under direct, visual and proximate supervision, males and females may simultaneously participate in work and program activities;
   7. (7) persons assigned to a detoxification cell shall be transferred to a housing or holding area as soon as they can properly care for themselves;
   8. (8) the status of persons confined to a violent cell shall be reassessed and documented at least every 24 hours for continuance of status;
   9. (9) inmates who require protection or those who require separation to protect the safety and security of the facility may be housed in administrative separation. The status of inmates placed in administrative separation shall be reviewed and documented at least every 30 days for continuance of status. Inmates housed in administrative separation shall retain access to services and activities, unless the continuance of the services and activities would adversely affect the safety and security of the facility; and
   10. (10) single cells may be utilized for disciplinary or administrative separation provided inmates are allowed access to a shower and day room for at least one hour each day.

2. (b) The following approved, validated classification instruments and explanations for completing those instruments shall be provided:

   1. (1) Screening Instrument. To be completed immediately on all inmates admitted for purposes of identifying any medical, mental health or other special needs that require placing inmates in special housing units;
   2. (2) Initial Custody Assessment Instrument. To be completed on all newly admitted inmates prior to housing assignments to determine custody levels. This shall be accomplished within 72 hours of admission. Supervisory override capability with written justification shall be provided; and
   3. (3) Custody Reassessment Instrument. To be completed within 30-90 days of the Initial Custody Assessment and every 30-90 days thereafter, immediately upon any change in custody level and prior to any changes in housing assignments. This form relies upon criteria that emphasize institutional behavior. Supervisory override capability with written justification shall be provided.
3. (c) A Needs Assessment Instrument may be used to assess the needs and qualifications of inmates for participation in vocational, educational, mental health, substance abuse and other treatment or work programs.

Source Note:The provisions of this §271.1 adopted to be effective December 27, 1995, 20 TexReg 10620; amended to be effective June 14, 1996, 21 TexReg 5004.