M.02.02 Completing female initial security classification

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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.

The M.02.03.Form.01 Female initial security classification assesses a prisoner's internal and external risk at the beginning of their sentence.

It must not be used for a review classification.

Initial classification criteria

  1. An initial security classification must be assigned to every prisoner including those sentenced to three months or less within fourteen (14) days of admission unless the prisoner is to be released within 21 days of initial reception (in which case a security classification is discretionary).
  2. 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.

M.02.02.01 Statutory matters to consider for an initial security classification

  1. The seriousness of the most serious offence for which the prisoner is serving a sentence of imprisonment.
  2. The duration of the current sentences being served by the prisoner.
  3. Any history of escapes or attempted escapes from custody by the prisoner including:
    1. previous escape attempts
    2. distance of the prison from the prisoner’s home / family and prisoner’s desire to be closer to home / family
    3. family relationship issues
    4. information from reliable sources that a prisoner is considering escape.
  4. Any history of any violent behaviour by the prisoner including: seriousness of offence, pattern of offending over time.
  5. Any history of mental ill health.
  6. Outstanding charges and seriousness of alleged offences.
  7. Whether the prisoner is awaiting trial or sentencing on any further charges and, if so, the nature of those charges.
  8. Any additional matter specified in writing by the chief executive as a matter to be taken into account in conducting a risk assessment under section 47(1) of the Corrections Act 2004.
  9. Other matters to be considered:
    1. Any history of violation of non-custodial sentence conditions, including:
      1. history of compliance with bail and parole conditions
      2. risk to public trust and confidence resulting from notoriety of offence
      3. risk to prisoner of undue adverse attention or aggressive public response.
    2. Likelihood of escape when outside the confines of prison, including:
      1. motivation to escape (including outstanding deportation, removal or extradition order).

M.02.02.02 Instructions

  1. This is an online process, not designed to support manual (offline) completion.
  2. All questions are answered through selection of an appropriate score.
  3. Whilst you are not able to add comments in individual sections, provision has been made for supporting comments to be entered in section "C. Assign Security Classification" for the initiating officer, and section "D. Approval" for the recommending officer and approving officer.
  4. Calculation of the applicable security classification is automatically undertaken upon completion of the form.
  5. Prisoners scoring between 24 and 49 points on the internal risk, there is no need to complete the external section as they will automatically receive a High security classification.
  6. Prisoners scoring 50 plus points on the internal risk, there is no need to complete the external risk section as they will automatically receive a Maximum security classification.
  7. The M.02.02.Res.01 Completing Female initial security classification guidelines details the questions to be answered, whether it is pre-populated, the sources referred to and any other relevant information / instruction.

M.02.02.03 Sources of information

  1. IOMS is used as the principal source for information required for this form (both sections that are pre-populated, and those requiring manual completion).
  2. Other sources you should refer to when completing this form include:
    1. Criminal and traffic conviction history
    2. Prisoner's penal file
    3. Judge's sentencing notes
    4. Warrant of Imprisonment
    5. Remand Warrants
    6. IOMS Query Active Charges Report Offence Codes
  3. If there is any inconsistency in information, the information supplied by the primary documents is to be used in preference to other sources.

M.02.02.04 Prisoner to be advised

  1. Prisoners must be advised in writing of their security classification and the reasons for the classification within 72 hours of its approval.
  2. Prisoners must be informed of their right to a review under section 48(2) of the Corrections Act 2004.