Prison Glossary — Letter A

An assessment instrument that provides an objective measurement of deviant sexual interests. Used during the intake and classification process for sex offenders entering the correctional system to determine appropriate programming, housing, and treatment requirements.

An individual in the custody of the DOC who has been medically cleared and is physically able to participate in a work program unless otherwise restricted by medical staff. Work assignments are mandatory in most federal and state facilities for able-bodied offenders.

A parolee or person on supervised release who has changed their place of residence without prior notification and approval of their community parole officer, has failed to report as directed, and whose whereabouts are unknown. Absconder status results in a warrant and active law enforcement search. Being found as an absconder almost always results in revocation of parole and return to custody.

A temporary movement status assigned to an offender prior to confirmation of their custody status or physical whereabouts. Distinct from absconder status -- AWOL is a procedural classification used before the full absconder determination is made.

Adult Basic Education (ABE Level 1 and 2), Pre-GED, GED, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes provided within a correctional facility to improve an offender's basic academic skills. Federal inmates who lack a GED or high school diploma are generally required to enroll in literacy programs under BOP policy. Completion of education programs earns First Step Act Earned Time Credits.

A reasonable arrangement of job duties or work area design to allow an inmate or employee with a disability to participate in work or programming without creating undue hardship for the facility or compromising essential functions of the position. Required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

An examination of a facility's records and operations conducted by the American Correctional Association (ACA) to assess compliance with national correctional standards. The audit results in a recommendation to the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. Accreditation affects funding, litigation exposure, and operational reputation for a facility.

The national accrediting body for corrections, defining standards for prison operations, clinical care, programming, and facility management. ACA accreditation is voluntary but widely pursued because it provides legal protection and demonstrates compliance with nationally accepted standards. Not to be confused with the ACA (Affordable Care Act) in non-correctional contexts.

Damage intentionally created or attempted by an offender that results in a serious threat to the security, health, or safety of the public, DOC employees, contract workers, volunteers, or other offenders. Typically a 100-series major infraction in federal facilities, resulting in SHU placement, loss of good time, and potential criminal charges.

The person at a facility designated as responsible for ensuring that disabled offenders are properly identified, documented, and provided with appropriate accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Families of disabled inmates who are not receiving required accommodations can contact the AIC through the facility.

In the correctional context, to deliver a dose of medication to an offender. Medications in federal and state facilities are administered by medical staff, not self-administered, except in specific supervised circumstances. Controlled medications are kept in a locked dispensary and issued at pill call.

The chief executive officer for a facility, center, division, office, or unit within the DOC organization. For a prison, this is typically the Warden. For a community corrections center, it may be the Director or Superintendent. The administrative head is responsible for all facility operations and policy implementation.

The most restrictive custody level within a correctional facility, used to isolate inmates who pose a threat to others or themselves, are under investigation, or require separation from the general population for management or safety reasons. Ad Seg inmates are typically confined to their cell 23 hours per day with very limited programming, recreation, and contact. Distinct from disciplinary segregation (the SHU) -- Ad Seg is an administrative placement, not a punishment. Extended periods in administrative segregation have well-documented severe mental health effects.

A warrant signed by the executive director of the Department of Corrections and authorized by the state for the sole purpose of returning an offender to custody when there is probable cause to believe the offender has escaped or absconded. Different from a criminal arrest warrant -- an administrative warrant is a civil instrument used for custody recall.

The date an inmate was received by a correctional facility from the sentencing county or jurisdiction. The admission date establishes the start of sentence computation and good time tracking. Federal inmates have a separate Sentence Computation Date (SCD) which accounts for any pretrial detention credit.

A program within correctional facilities providing instruction in reading, language arts, and mathematics at two levels: ABE Level 1 (introductory studies) and ABE Level 2 (beginning studies). Federal inmates without a verified high school diploma or GED are required to participate. Completing ABE and GED programs earns First Step Act Earned Time Credits in the federal system.

A drug test sample is considered adulterated when it contains substances not normally present in urine -- nitrite, chromate, bleach, acids or bases, or surfactants such as soap or detergent -- indicating deliberate tampering. Submitting an adulterated sample is treated as a refusal to test and carries the same consequences as a confirmed positive result.

A set of instructions written and signed by an offender concerning the use of life-sustaining medical procedures in the event of a critical medical situation, including a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Federal and state facilities are required to honor valid advanced medical directives. Inmates should discuss these wishes with their Case Manager and facility medical staff.

In correctional context, the unit of a governing authority that has direct responsibility for the operation of a corrections program, including implementation of policy as set by the governing authority. The BOP is the federal agency; each state has its own correctional agency (DOC, Department of Public Safety, etc.).

An alias or name other than the offender's official commitment name. AKAs are tracked in the DOC and BOP systems because inmates sometimes provide different names during arrests or across jurisdictions. Warrants and detainers may be issued under an AKA. The commitment name -- the legal name on the sentencing document -- is the primary identifier used for mail, commissary, and all official records.

The use of mechanical devices that limit movement of an inmate's extremities without preventing them from moving about in an area. May include metal or cloth restraints allowing controlled ambulation during medical transport or procedures. Different from full restraints used during external transportation.

42 USC Section 12101, signed into law July 26, 1990. Prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, and government services. The ADA applies to correctional facilities -- inmates with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in programming, housing, and services. Title II of the ADA specifically covers state and local government entities including prisons.

A report summarizing an offender's progress and performance over the past year, including performance in treatment, supervision, employment, and any technical or law violations. Used by case managers and classification staff to make decisions about security level changes, programming assignments, and release planning. Inmates should review their annual case review with their case manager and address any inaccuracies.

In the inmate context, the process by which an inmate challenges a decision made by facility staff or administration. The BOP's administrative remedy process requires inmates to file a BP-8 (informal), then BP-9 (warden level), BP-10 (regional level), and BP-11 (national level) before exhausting administrative remedies. Exhausting the BOP administrative remedy process is required before filing a lawsuit. State facilities have similar grievance and appeal processes.

A publisher, retail dealer, or mail-order company approved by the facility to send books, magazines, hobby craft, and other items directly to inmates. Items from non-approved sources -- including from home -- are rejected. Amazon is the most commonly used approved source for books in federal facilities. Used books are not accepted from any source.

The act of seizing and holding a person under authority of law. In the correctional context, arrest also refers to the initial custody event that begins the criminal justice process -- the date of arrest establishes the timeline for pretrial detention credit, which is applied against the eventual sentence.

An intensive diagnostic evaluation of each offender at intake covering mental health, medical status, educational needs, career and technical education eligibility, substance abuse history, violence risk, impulse control, and interpersonal functioning. The assessment determines programming assignments and forms the basis for the initial case plan. Federal inmates receive a PATTERN risk assessment that determines Earned Time Credit rates under the First Step Act.

Any person 60 years of age or older, or any person 18 or older who has a disability. At-risk adults in custody receive additional protections and considerations regarding housing placement, programming requirements, and medical monitoring. Older inmates are a growing population in the federal and state systems.

An attorney-at-law licensed to practice in any state or federal jurisdiction who has been retained by or appointed to represent an offender. Legal mail to and from attorneys receives special handling -- it may only be opened in the inmate's presence and staff cannot read the contents. Phone calls to attorneys may be unmonitored at some facilities. Inmates have the right to communicate confidentially with their legal counsel.

The balance of funds available in an inmate's commissary account for purchases -- the total account balance minus any reserved or encumbered funds. Funds may be encumbered for pending restitution payments, victim fund contributions, or other court-ordered financial obligations. The available balance is what the inmate can actually spend at commissary.

Any offender information electronically stored in a computerized database originated, maintained, or kept by the DOC for use in functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule. Automated offender data is classified as criminal justice records and is subject to specific access, disclosure, and retention rules. The BOP equivalent is SENTRY, the federal inmate records management system.