What is an incident report in prison?

An incident report is a formal document used by DOC employees, contract workers, and volunteers to record observations of rule violations, security incidents, or unusual occurrences in chronological order. Incident reports may be authenticated as evidence in a disciplinary hearing. They are also used for statistical and informational purposes. Filing an accurate and timely incident report is a mandatory duty for correctional staff who witness or respond to an incident.

What is the Interstate Compact for parole?

The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision is an agreement between states allowing the transfer of parolees and probationers across state lines for supervision. If a parolee has approved housing and employment in another state, their supervision can be transferred to that state's DOC under the compact. The receiving state takes on responsibility for supervision under its own policies, but the sending state retains jurisdiction over the sentence.

What does incarceration status mean?

Incarceration status describes where an inmate is in the legal process of their sentence at a specific point in time. Statuses include Active (still serving the sentence), Inactive (sentence completed), Dismissed by Sentencing Court, Temporarily Absent or not in custody, and Vacated where the court overturned the sentence. Incarceration status determines what records the DOC maintains and what supervision obligations remain.

What is an inmate bank account or trust account?

An inmate bank account, also called a trust account, holds all funds belonging to an inmate in custody. Deposits include inmate pay from work assignments, incoming money orders or electronic transfers from family, hobby craft revenue, and tax refunds. Funds are used for commissary purchases, phone calls, postage, and approved elective withdrawals. The DOC manages these accounts and may deduct restitution, fines, or fees depending on state law.

Prison Glossary: Terms Starting With I

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

Identification (ID) Cards and Badges

ID cards issued to DOC inmates and employees which include a photo, name, location, state seal, and date issued on the front of the card. May also include; date of birth, height, weight, color of hair and eyes, sex, a bar code indicating social security number.

Illegal Drugs

Any drug listed in the United States Code, Title 21, Section 806(6). Drugs including, but not limited to, heroin, cocaine, crack, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, and methamphetamine. These drugs have a high potential for abuse.

Immediate Family Member of an Inmate Minor

Legal guardian, parent, brother, step or half-brother, sister, step or half-sister, grandparent, step-parent, adoptive parent, aunt, or uncle all of whom must be over the age of 18.

Immediate Family Member of an Offender

Grandparents, parents, step-parents, adoptive parents, legal guardian, brother, step or half-brother, sister, step or half-sister, spouse, son, daughter, step/foster/adopted children, and grandchildren.

Impacted Agencies

Federal, state, or local units of government that may require assistance responding to a disaster.

Impairment

The severity of an offender's disability related to a medical or mental health condition with associated symptoms requiring a higher level of care.

Inactive Record

The record of an offender no longer under the jurisdiction of the DOC, to include offenders discharged from a facility or community corrections center, a parolee who has discharged their parole obligation, an offender who is released from the sentence to DOC by new court order, or a deceased offender.

Incarceration Status

The status of an inmate's specific sentence at a specific time:

Dismissed by Sentencing Court
Active; the inmate is still serving the sentence
Inactive where the sentence has been completed
Temporarily Absent or Inmate not in Custody
Vacated where the Sentencing Court has overturned the sentence

Incident Report

A document that is utilized by all DOC employees, contract workers, and volunteers to transform observations into a chronological, discernible document. Incident reports may be authenticated as documentary evidence in a hearing and/or used for informational as well as statistical purposes.

Indigent Parolee

A person on regular parole status under the jurisdiction of the DOC who is unable to provide for his/her immediate living or employment needs while under parole supervision.

Informal Count

A count conducted at irregular times while offenders are working, engaged in daily living activities, or attending programs. DOC employees/contract workers are required to maintain records of informal counts.

Initial Search

The initial attempts to locate and recover the fugitive after field leads have been exhausted and the case transferred.

Inmate Bank Deposits

Any funds received or credited to an inmate bank account including but not limited to: inmate pay, incoming money orders, revenue from hobby crafts, and federal and state income tax refunds.

Inquiry

A preliminary review of an incident or report of misconduct to determine an appropriate course of action.

Institution

Federal, state, local or private operated or contracted prison or other correctional facility.

Interstate Compact (Parole)

An agreement between compact states for the supervision of parolees and probationers.

Intersystem Transfers

Transfer of an offender from one distinct agency (correctional system) to a DOC facility.

Intrasystem Transfers

Transfer of an offender from one DOC facility to another.

Involuntary Transfer

The involuntary transfer of an offender(s) from a facility operated by the DOC to a mental hospital or institution.

Letter I — Terminology FAQ

Common questions about terms starting with I

What is an incident report and how is it used in a disciplinary case? +

An incident report documents a rule violation or security incident in chronological detail. Written by the observing staff member, it becomes the primary record of what occurred, when, and who was involved. In a disciplinary proceeding, the incident report is authenticated as documentary evidence. The inmate has the right to review the report and respond to the charges. The quality and accuracy of the report significantly affects the outcome of the hearing.

What is the Interstate Compact and can a parolee transfer to another state? +

The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision allows a parolee or probationer to transfer supervision to another state if they have an approved residence and employment plan there. The receiving state supervises under its own rules but the sending state retains jurisdiction over the original sentence. Violations in the receiving state are reported back to the sending state. Not all transfer requests are approved -- the receiving state can decline if resources or risk factors warrant.

What is an informal count vs a formal count in prison? +

A formal count is a scheduled, organized physical count of all offenders at a specific time -- typically multiple times per day. An informal count is conducted at irregular times while offenders are working, in programming, or engaged in daily activities. Both types require staff to maintain accurate records. An emergency count is triggered outside of schedule by a security event. The BOP conducts formal standing counts at specific times and requires all inmates to be present and visible.

What does involuntary transfer mean and when does it happen? +

An involuntary transfer is the transfer of an offender from a DOC facility to a mental hospital or institution without the offender's consent. It occurs when a mental health evaluation determines the inmate requires a level of psychiatric care that cannot be provided at the current facility. Involuntary transfers are subject to legal due process requirements. They are distinct from standard intrasystem transfers between DOC facilities, which may also occur without the inmate's preference.

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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Prison Glossary: Terms Starting With “I”

Letter I — Terminology FAQ

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