Classification System Goals and Objectives

The primary goals of the Massachusetts DOC classification process are to promote public safety and the responsible reintegration of inmates. To achieve these goals, the classification process shall objectively assess the inmate’s custody requirements and programmatic needs and match those to the appropriate security level in a manner that minimizes the potential for escape, prison violence, and inmate misconduct. In doing so, the DOC will incorporate the following objectives: (a) Rationally use a reliable, validated set of variables to support classification decisions. (b) Place inmates in the level of security required to ensure protection of the public, correctional staff, themselves, and other inmates. (c) Promote, successful reintegration to a law abiding and productive community life. (d) Involve inmates in determining individualized appropriate goals. (e) Establish a fair and equitable mechanism for inmates to appeal classification recommendations. (f) Maximize the use of factual and quantifiable data to make decisions and to facilitate research. (g) Share information with other criminal justice agencies for the purpose of enhancing public safety. (h) Establish both centralized and decentralized quality control, monitoring and evaluation of the classification process to ensure that it continues to meet its primary goals and these stated objectives.