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Prison Glossary › Letter H

Prison Glossary: Terms Starting With “H”

DOC terminology, BOP vocabulary, and correctional system language starting with H — from Handler to House Restriction.

 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 
Handler
A DOC employee of, or facility assigned canine handler, who handles, controls, and/or directs a trained dog, owned or under the control of the Department, and who has received a certificate of training from the inspector general. The handler is required to log, track, and maintain accurate canine records and veterinarian records.
Health Care Refusal
Refusal of an appointment, procedure, scheduled pre-op/post-op visit, hospitalization, testing, x-ray or follow-up visit.
Health Record
A complete, concise, legal record of the health care, evaluation, and treatment an offender receives while under the management of the DOC. The record contains data from all patient service disciplines, i.e., medical, mental health, dental, diagnostic testing, pharmaceutical (medications), optometry, and hospital and infirmary inpatient care. The health record is maintained by the health care DOC employees and contract workers at the facility where the care is provided.
High Profile Offender
An offender identified by the DOC who, because of a particular circumstance, may attract media or public attention.
High Risk Offender
An offender who has displayed or has documentation identifying STG affiliation; history of escape or escape paraphernalia; history of assaultive behavior toward DOC employees, contract workers, volunteers, or other offenders; administrative segregation; high profile media; P4 or P5; life without parole; the death penalty; or any other factor as determined by the administrative head.
HIV Positive
Refers to those individuals who have been confirmed to carry the HIV virus by current appropriate testing methods.
HIV-Seropositive
Confirmed seropositivity (i.e., confirmed presence of antibodies to HIV) means that an individual has been infected by the AIDS virus. Most seropositive individuals may be able to transmit infection to others through specific behaviors, even if they never develop symptoms themselves.
Holding Agency
Any agency, other than the DOC, which has custody of the fugitive.
Hostage
Any individual who is held against his/her will by another person for any reason.
House Arrest
Is an alternative release program of home incarceration. The inmate is released under intensive electronic supervision. Same as House Restriction.
House Restriction
Confines the offender to his/her place of residence, suspending any free or recreation time.
 

Letter H — Terminology FAQ

Common questions about terms starting with H
What is the difference between house arrest and house restriction? +
House arrest and house restriction refer to the same condition -- confinement to the offender's place of residence with suspension of free time and recreational movement. House arrest is the common public term; house restriction is the administrative term used in DOC policy. Both involve electronic monitoring and a defined set of approved departure reasons. Violations trigger an alert to the supervising officer and can result in a parole complaint and return to custody.
What makes an offender high-risk and what restrictions does it create? +
A high-risk designation is based on documented factors: STG affiliation, escape history, assaultive history toward staff or inmates, administrative segregation history, high-profile case, life without parole, or death penalty sentence. High-risk status affects facility designation (higher security required), transport protocols (additional restraints and escort), housing restrictions, and programming eligibility. The designation is reviewed periodically and can change based on institutional behavior.
What is a canine handler in a DOC facility? +
A DOC canine handler is a trained employee who handles, controls, and directs a trained dog owned or controlled by the department. Handlers must hold a certificate of training from the inspector general and are required to maintain accurate canine and veterinary records. Trained dogs are used for detection of contraband, drugs, and explosives, as well as perimeter security and tracking escaped offenders.
What is a health care refusal and what are the consequences for an inmate? +
A health care refusal is an inmate's formal refusal of an appointment, procedure, pre- or post-operative visit, hospitalization, testing, x-ray, or follow-up visit. The refusal is documented in the health record. Persistent refusal of necessary medical care can complicate the inmate's health status and may affect how the DOC meets its constitutional obligation to provide adequate medical care. In some cases a court order can compel treatment.
Know the Terms. Understand the System.

The JailGuide prison survival guide explains what these terms mean in practice — what happens during a shakedown, how a write-up affects good time, what the case manager actually controls. Written from direct federal experience.

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