The criminal justice system in the State of North Carolina would be incomplete without the prison system. Interestingly, North Carolina has one of the most elaborate prison systems. This paper shall discuss some of the classification methods applied in the placement of prisoners. It is imperative to appreciate the fact that rehabilitation systems need to be planned and arranged well to avoid the worsening of the prisoners. In North Carolina, in appreciation of the stakes, the prison system has prison classification specialists who assess prisoners and recommend for their placement. This approach is considered professional enough and avoids the pitfalls aforementioned.
The classification begins with the development of the inmate profile in which some aspects of the inmate are recorded. These include but are not limited to the crime in question, the education, job skills and work history, the health, the criminal record, the social background and any prior convictions. These dynamics are necessary in assessing the needs of the inmate at least from a rehabilitation point of view. In addition, the criminal record is assessed in order to examine the levels of recidivism.
At this juncture it is necessary to note the fact that the assessment determines which levels the inmate would be put. However, such is not cast on stone and the inmate is under continuous risk assessment and inmate behavior observation. It is the prison staff reports on the same that would determine the continuity of the placement and or eventual release from custody. It is in the interest of both the state and the inmates for non-custodial approaches to be applied. However, in the overall interests of the citizenry, some of these convicts must remain under custody.
In North Carolina, five main custodial levels are applied. These include close, medium and minimum I to III. The level of custody is determined by the perceived public safety risks according to the assessment of the classification specialists who employ due consideration of the mentioned factors. Depending on the category placed, the inmate receives a given level of monitoring and regulation with high risk inmates given close custody with the understanding that they pose serious threats to public safety. It is essential for the prisoner to reform in the process. In fact, one reason why the inmates are not grouped wholesomely is because of the perception that some prisoners harden others. This is one reason that may occasion recidivist cases. It is in the interest of the state that inmates are only reformed and not hardened. From the foregoing, it is critical to appreciate the special role of the classification specialists.
In addition to the custody levels, are the prison security levels and the inmate control statuses. While the prison security level relates to the amount of security afforded to the inmates given the risks they present, the control statutes relates to the level of control imposed on the inmates depending on the assessment by the classification officers. Some of the control statutes include maximum, death row, intensive, safe-keeper and disciplinary. On the other hand, some of the prison security levels include close, medium and minimum.
It is these systems that determine where the inmate would be placed. It is essential to appreciate the approach applied. From the foregoing, it is the postulation of this paper that the State of North Carolina applies professional judgment and knowledge in the management of criminals with the overall intention being the rehabilitation of all the convicts.
References
North Carolina Department of Public Safety . (2013, December 2). Assigning Inmates to Prison . Retrieved December 19, 2013, from North Carolina Department of Public Safety : http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/custody.htm
North Carolina Department of Public Safety. (2013, December 12). Prisons. Retrieved December 19, 2013, from North Carolina Department of Public Safety: https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,002240
