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Prison Glossary: Terms Starting With “U”

DOC terminology, BOP vocabulary, and correctional system language starting with U — from Unadjudicated Offender to Use of Force.

 
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
 
Unadjudicated Offender
An offender sentenced to the Department of Corrections who has not been adjudicated of a sex offense by a court or administrative board.
Under the Influence
A condition in which a person is affected by a drug or by alcohol in any detectable manner. The symptoms of influence are not confined to those consistent with misbehavior, or to obvious impairment of physical or mental ability, such as slurred speech or difficulty in maintaining balance. A determination of being under the influence can be established by a professional opinion, a scientifically valid test such as urinalysis, and in some cases by the opinion of a layperson.
Undue Hardship
An action requiring significant difficulty or expense.
Unscheduled Movement
Movement of offenders, individually or in groups, which is not reflected on the offender movement schedule and is authorized by pass or clearance.
Urgent Care
Medical care provided within the same day of the request/need that is necessary to treat an injury or illness of a less serious nature than those requiring emergency care, but required to prevent serious deterioration of the offender's health or to maintain the offender's activities of daily living.
Urinalysis Container
Container holding urine specimens, which are self-sealing, tamper resistant containers used for urine collection, handling, mailing or transporting to an approved laboratory.
US Attorney's Office
The United States attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the attorney general. Each United States attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the United States within their particular jurisdiction. United States attorneys conduct most of the trial work in which the United States is a party.
Use of Force
Any incident involving physical force, chemical agents, or lethal force to include all discharges of firearms, except where no offender resistance is encountered in the application of mechanical restraints.
 

Letter U — Terminology FAQ

Common questions about terms starting with U
What is use of force and what are the rules that govern it? +
Use of force policy establishes when and how staff can use physical, chemical, or lethal force. Force must be: necessary (no other option available), proportional (matched to the threat level), and stopped as soon as compliance is achieved. Staff are trained on the force continuum -- from verbal commands through soft physical control, hard physical control, chemical agents, low lethal devices, and lethal force. Every use is documented and reviewed. Staff who use excessive force face disciplinary action and potential criminal prosecution.
What is a urinalysis test and how is it administered in prison? +
Urinalysis (UA) is a drug test using a urine sample collected in a tamper-resistant, self-sealing container. Samples may be tested on-site with instant test strips or sent to an approved laboratory for more accurate analysis. Staff observe the collection process to prevent tampering. Positive results can be confirmed by laboratory testing. A positive UA is a disciplinary infraction and can result in loss of good time, placement in restricted housing, or a parole violation.
What does unadjudicated offender mean? +
An unadjudicated offender is an inmate in DOC custody who has not been formally adjudicated (found guilty) of a sex offense by a court or administrative board, even though they may be incarcerated for another offense. The classification matters because sex-offense-specific programs, housing assignments, and restrictions apply only to adjudicated sex offenders. An unadjudicated offender may still be assessed for risk factors but is not subject to mandatory sex offender programming or registration requirements.
What is the role of the US Attorney in federal prosecutions? +
The US Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer in their judicial district, responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and representing the government in civil matters. US Attorneys operate under the direction of the Attorney General. In the correctional context, they handle prosecutions of crimes committed inside federal prisons -- inmate-on-inmate violence, contraband introduction, escape -- and civil rights suits filed against BOP staff. There are 94 US Attorney districts covering all federal courts.
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