Under Section 47(1) of the Act the Chief Executive must ensure that the security classification assigned to a prisoner reflects:
PPM Section A.08.01 Prisoner Security Classification provides a method for risk assessment of prisoners.
The purpose of the security classification system is to enable the containment of sentenced prisoners with a level of supervision appropriate to the level of internal and external risk that a prisoner poses.
Internal risk is the risk posed by a prisoner to the safety, security and good order of the prison while he is inside the prison secure perimeter.
It indicates the risk of escape posed by the prisoner.
External risk is the risk a prisoner poses when outside the prison secure perimeter, where this is authorised (e.g. temporary release, release to work, temporary removal and employment outside of the perimeter fence line) or as a result of an escape.
It includes the risk of escape while outside the prison secure perimeter for authorised reasons.
Internal risk is used to determine:
External risk is used to:
A prisoner should be assigned the lowest level of security classification at which he can be safely and securely managed, given the assessment of the level of risk he poses.
A prisoner who has been assigned a security classification must be placed and managed within a facility and regime that is consistent with his security classification to the extent practicable (having regard to the availability of accommodation and other resources).
Current research into predictors of criminal behaviour supports the classification of prisoners based on past behaviour. It also supports the premise that more recent behaviour is a better predictor of future actions than distant past behaviour.
Items used to assess a prisoner's security classification should have demonstrated predictive value and should be equitable, in that they are based on previous rule-breaking behaviour. Some items may be used purely because of their good predictive validity.
An Initial Security Classification must be assigned to every prisoner, including those sentenced to 3 months or less, within 14 days of admission,
UNLESS
The prisoner is to be released within 21 days of initial reception, in which case assignment of a Security Classification is discretionary;
An Initial Security Classification must be assigned to any prisoner who is recalled to a prison on a final recall to continue serving a sentence.
The focus of the initial security classification is on the prisoner's behaviour prior to sentence date and the offending that resulted in the prisoner's current term of imprisonment and any offence(s) before the courts that have not been decided upon.
This Security Classification System assigns each male prisoner a Security Classification that indicates his level of internal risk and his level of external risk.
Internal risk is categorised as one of three risk levels:
A: Low internal risk
B: High internal risk
C: Maximum internal risk
External risk is categorised as one of two risk levels:
A: Low external risk
B: High external risk
Male prisoners will be assigned a classification reflecting internal and external risk as follows:
| Old classification | New classification |
| Maximum | CB |
| High medium | BB |
| Low medium | AB |
| Minimum | AA |
Prisoners must be advised in writing of their security classification and the reasons for the classification within 72 hours of its approval.
Prisoners must be informed of their right to a review under Section 48(2) of the Corrections Act 2004.
A prisoner’s sentence plan is to take into account the implications of his security classification and in particular his internal risk category when planning access to programmes that address rehabilitative and / or re-integrative needs.
The following matters must be considered when assessing a prisoner’s initial security classification:
Of the statutory matters listed under heading "Statutory matters to be considered-Regulation 45" above, the following are to be considered when assessing internal risk:
Of the statutory matters listed under heading "Statutory matters to be considered-Regulation 45" above, the following are to be considered when assessing external risk:
Other matters to be considered:
With the exception of a prisoner who has been assigned the lowest internal security level (Category A) and the lowest security level (Category A), a Review Security Classification must be completed at least once in every six months during the course of the prisoner's sentence.
The focus of the review security classification is on the prisoner's behaviour during the sentence, what he has done to address his offending, tempered by a number of historical factors, whether or not the prisoner has any outstanding charges and the time the prisoner has to complete before being eligible for parole, next Parole Board hearing date or release.
In addition every prisoner must have his security classification reviewed whenever there is a significant change in the prisoner's circumstances.
A prisoner's classification must be reviewed where there is a significant change in the prisoner's circumstances.
Significant change may be indicated by any of the following:
A prisoner who is dissatisfied with the security classification he has been assigned may apply to the Chief Executive for a review of his security classification at any time, unless he has already had that security classification reviewed under section 48 of the Corrections Act 2004 in the previous six months.
When an application is made to the Chief Executive under section 48 (2) of the Corrections Act 2004 to review a security classification, the Chief Executive or delegate will review the process that has been followed in assigning or most recently reviewing that classification, as the case may be; and either -
The prisoner is to be advised in writing of the outcome of the review.
Where a prisoner has requested a review of his latest security classification he is to retain the original review date recorded on his last approved security classification, regardless of the date of the requested review.
The matters listed in regulation 45, and the following matters, must be considered when reviewing a prisoner’s security classification:
Of the statutory matters listed under heading "Statutory matters to be considered - Regulation 48" above, the following are to be considered when assessing internal risk:
Of the statutory matters listed under heading "Statutory matters to be considered - Regulation 48" above, the following are to be considered when assessing external risk:
All prisoners will be managed in the initial part of their sentence primarily for safe, humane containment.
As his sentence progresses the prisoner will increasingly be managed towards meeting his sentence plan objectives to reduce his risk of reoffending.
The aim is to reduce the risk to public safety by ensuring prisoners participate in targeted interventions to address the matters that may predispose them towards reoffending.
A security classification review must not be undertaken for the purpose of facilitating loss of privileges, transfer to another unit or prison, or to facilitate access to programmes.
Risk to public safety may decline as a prisoner participates in programmes, treatment or counselling that targets factors relating to his offending.
Procedures for responding to a sudden increase in risk of escape depend on the prisoner's risk classification and the circumstances motivating the risk of escape.
Where a prisoner has a low level of external risk and where the increase in risk is temporary and related to external circumstances (e.g. a family event), the risk may be managed without recourse to a review of the prisoner's security classification.
Alternatives may include referral for help in resolving the crisis, or placement under increased supervision until the crisis is past.
Where a prisoner has a high level of external risk, increased risk of escape is more properly managed by a review of the prisoner's security classification.
If a prisoner's behaviour results in a prisoner being charged with serious assault (serious assault as defined below) on any other person, the prisoner's Security Classification must be reviewed and the prisoner's Internal Risk category must be overridden to the highest category.
The prisoner is to be immediately managed at the highest Internal Risk category.
The override is to be only used once for each serious assault.
An act of physical violence that involves one or more of the following:
All serious assault incidents must be initially reported as "alleged", and either confirmed, or not confirmed, after investigation.
A prisoner who has been assigned a security classification must be placed and managed within a facility and regime that is consistent with his security classification to the extent that is practical (having regard to the availability of accommodation and other resources).
Within the limitations of Regulation 44(2) facilities for accommodation should be matched to the level of risk indicated by the prisoner’s security classification.
Facilities are classified as low, high or maximum security.
Prisoners must be housed in a facility or part of a facility that meets the requirements for their security classification:
|
Facility security |
|||
|
Internal risk |
Low |
High |
Maximum |
| A (low) |
√ |
~ |
x |
| B (high) | ~ | √ | ~ |
| C (maximum) | x | ~ | √ |
√ = can be housed in this level of facility
~ = may be housed in this level of facility, with special conditions
x = cannot be housed in this level of facility
Prisoners may only be housed in category of secure accommodation indicated by “~” in exceptional circumstances and with the authorisation of the GMPS.
Only prisoners with the lowest internal risk and lowest external risk are eligible for housing in external self-care facilities.
Any movement into an area designed for a lower security classification must be managed to ensure the level of security required by the prisoner’s classification is maintained.
Category C Security prisoners must be housed separately from Category A and B Security prisoners.
During the prison day, Category B prisoners can mix with Category A prisoners within the confines of the secure perimeter, at the discretion of the Prison Manager, for the purpose of rehabilitation, reintegration, education, employment, cultural programmes and opportunities, and mental health treatment.
If a Category B prisoner meets the criteria for inclusion in a programme that requires accommodation with Category A prisoners (excluding self-care units) this must be assessed on an individual basis.
The approval of the Prison Manager is required.
From time to time a prison may have to place a Category B security prisoner in accommodation housing prisoners with a lower security level.
Regional Operations Manager approval is required.
Prisoners selected for such temporary accommodation arrangements should be selected by choosing those prisoners in B category who have the lowest risk levels.
Prisoners should not have their security classification reviewed as a result of a temporary need for accommodation. They should retain their higher risk security classification. This identifies their need for more intensive supervision and may preclude their involvement in certain activities available to other prisoners within the lower security unit or wing.