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A

Access: 1) Any inspection, copying, or communication of information about an identified offender, based upon an inquiry or request, including verification of information that is already known by the person making the inquiry. (254) 2) To instruct, communicate with, store data in, enter data in, retrieve data from, or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, computer system, or computer network. (257.01)

“Access to Courts” Correctional Facility Coordinator: An administrative staff person, volunteer or “other” person designated by the facility superintendent who is responsible for overseeing the correctional facility law library, ILLs and ILAs and coordinating the delivery of services to inmates with the DLE. (385.01)

Accessory: Assisting a person to commit an act prohibited under this directive. (410.01)

Accreditation: A process by which HRD evaluates a training program according to a predetermined set of standards. (107.01)

ACT (Advanced Communication Techniques): A Department training for correctional staff in verbal skills for interacting with and successfully confronting inmates. (Interim Procedure – Use of Force Field and Threats on Staff)

Actuarial Assessment Instruments or Measure: Classification of an offender using a set of known risk factors and variables.  The rules by which the factors are combined are explicit and a single score or scores are derived to determine the offender’s level of risk.  Examples include the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (V-RAG), the Rapid Risk Assessment of Sex Offender Recidivism (RRASOR), and the Static-99. (371.07)

Addiction Severity Index – Revised  (ASI-R): A measure which gathers a broad range of assessment data relevant to an offender’s substance abuse, his/her treatment planning needs, and diagnoses.  This is not a risk assessment measure per se; however, since substance abuse is a prevalent problem in correction’s populations; the ASI is likely to be administered and reported in the context of other risk assessment procedures.  The ASI-R may be used by criterion-trained casework staff at correctional facilities and field sites. (371.07)

Additional Case Information:  Information related to an offender’s case that is not considered a contact.  Examples of additional case information are reviewing an offender’s sentence computation or an inmate’s financial account. (254.04 – 12/07)

Adjunct File: A two-section file that contains information not designated for the main core file.  Examples include phone lists, observation charts, visiting lists, mail logs, furloughs, and court transport orders.  The file remains at the site and should not be transferred to public records for storage. (251.01)

Administrative Directive: An outline of the procedural guidelines and staff expectations to comply with all policies (AHS, State or Department) or any operational imperative. (All administrative directives will contain brief policy statements.) (02)

Administrative Furlough:  A furlough that provides limited restriction on movement during non-curfew hours, as outlined in the Administrative Furlough Agreement. (372.05)

Administrative Furlough Agreement:  A set of conditions signed by the offender and CSS, which outline the furlough standards by which an offender is expected to abide. (372.05)

Administrative Procedure Act (APA): The State of Vermont statute that defines rulemaking to adopt rules, which, when adopted, have the effect of statute. (403.01 - 9/07)

Administrative Segregation: 1) A form of separation from the general population when the continued presence of the inmate in the general population would pose a serious threat to life, property, self, staff or other inmates or to the orderly running of the institution. Inmates pending investigation for trial on a criminal act or pending transfer may also be included (413.11) 2) A form of separation from the general population when the continued presence of the inmate in the general population would pose a serious threat to life, property, self, staff or other inmates or to the security (e.g., escape planning ) or orderly running of the institution (e.g., chronic, repetitive discipline problem).  Inmates pending investigation for trial on a criminal act or pending transfer may also be included if they pose a threat. (410.03, 410.06)

Administrative Support Services Employees: By State of Vermont Department of Human Resources job classification, individuals in Program Services Clerk, Administrative Assistant A, Administrative Assistant B, and Secretary C jobs. (117.01 – 1/08)

Admission: The activity associated with assuming custody of a person by the Department of Corrections. (351)

Adult: Anyone 18 years or older. (371.14)

Adult Jail: A locked facility, administered by state, county, or local law enforcement and correctional agencies, the purpose of which is to detain adults charged with violating criminal law, pending trial.  Also considered as adult jails are those facilities used to hold convicted adult criminal offenders sentenced for less than one year. (326.01)

“Advance Directive”: A written document which may include the appointment of an agent, identification of a primary care clinician, instructions on health care desires or treatment goals and anatomical gifts, disposition of remains and funeral goods and services. (353)

Advisory Unit: This group will consist of individuals (both for the state-wide team and facility team) whose function will be to operate as a “think tank” to sort information, and assess resources with the intent to advise individuals in the role of decision-maker (Director of Security and Operations, Director of Program Services, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent). (414)

Aftercare: This is a specific phase of a program following the completion of the intensive component.  In the aftercare phase the program requirements are reduced, with the expectation that the offender should be practicing the new skills and largely self-managing risk to reoffend. (371.17, 372)

Aftercare Phase: The program-defined period after an offender has completed the intensive phase of the primary risk management program.  During this time, the offender’s case remains in the CCSC; however, the level of supervision may be decreased. (425.02)

Agency Supervised Work Site: An offender worksite where a government agency or charitable agency may assume task/site supervision. This arrangement must be approved in advance and the site must meet all Department standards for a community service work site. (424.05)

AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).  This disorder damages the body’s natural immune system, reducing its ability to fight off infection and diseases.  As a result persons with AIDS may develop rare forms of cancer, pneumonia, or other infections which generally do not affect healthy adults. (351.01)

AIDS-Related Complex (ARC): Persons with ARC do not have true AIDS, but exhibit abnormal laboratory findings and certain clinical conditions which are attributed to an HIV infection. (351.01)

Alcohol Abuse: The use of ethyl (beverage) alcohol in a quantity and frequency to interfere with a person’s ability to make sound life decisions, perform appropriate actions, and fulfill responsibilities with the result that the person is unable to be a law abiding and self-supporting individual. (363)

Alcohol Counselor: A person employed as a professional in the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction. (363)

Alcohol Treatment Professional:  A person who practices, as full or part time employment, the rehabilitation of people who are suffering from alcohol abuse or addiction.  This individual must be paid for their services and not perform them solely as a volunteer activity. (306)

Alco-Sensor:  A device used to measure the blood alcohol content of a person by measuring a sample of a person’s breath. (409.02)

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Techniques other than formal appeals or judicial processes that include advanced verbal communication techniques, negotiation, mediation, or other practices to resolve a dispute. (410.01).

Alternative Meal:  A vegetarian alternative to the standard facility master menu meal that is completely free of meat, poultry, fish, and their by-products; e.g., meat-based soups, gravies, and gelatin, or grilling using animal fats. This will be prepared as directed by the designated person in charge of food services at the local site. (354.05 - 09/07)

Ammunition/Weapons:  Weapons are any dangerous items defined as guns, mace, etc., carried by law enforcement personnel or others, which must be secured in identified security boxes prior to entering other areas of the facility. (415)

ANSI:  The American National Safety Institute is a regulatory agency that sets safety standards, which are overseen by OSHA.

Apartment:  A room or group of rooms rented or leased by the Vermont Department of Corrections for the purpose of housing offenders. (372.04)

APCT (Advanced Physical Control Techniques): A Department training for correctional staff in physical skills for confronting inmates. (Interim Procedure – Use of Force Field and Threats on Staff)

Appointing Authority: The person authorized by statute, or lawfully-delegated authority, to appoint and dismiss employees (e.g. Facility Superintendent, District Manager). (122.01)

Approval: To accept as satisfactory, to give formal or official consent. (371)

Approved Leave: Annual, compensatory time or personal time off for an employee. (122.02)

Area Training Advisory Group: A working group comprised of local training coordinators from correctional facilities, community correctional service centers, and court reparative units. (107.01)

Area/Work Site Procedures: Written documents which translate policy into activities necessary for the day-to-day operation of any given area or work site.  Procedures are to be written on white paper. (02, 02.01)

Arrest Authority:  Authority delegated by the Commissioner to certify correctional officer staff who demonstrate the ability to comply with this directive in arresting probation, parole or supervised community offenders who staff believe have violated a condition of their respective legal status. (413.06)

Arrest Training: Competency-based training established by the Commissioner that must precede the certification of a correctional officer for arrest authority.  This training must include, but is not limited to, search and seizure, criminal law, authority to arrest, use of force, report writing, record keeping and liability for actions and conduct. (413.06)

Arrest Warrant: Issued by the Hearing Authority for probation, parole and supervised community sentenced offenders ordering any law enforcement officer to detain and lodge any person named in the warrant.  Offenders on furlough are not issued arrest warrants unless they commit additional criminal conduct, as they are technically in incarcerative custody at the time.  The warrants are issued by the Hearing Authority after receipt of a violation report and request for arrest from the supervising correctional officer. (413.06)

Assault: Any action which brings about a harmful or offensive contact to another person. (410.01)

Assistant Director, Security and Supervision:  Individual who assists the Director of Security and Supervision in the design and development of security and supervision practices conducted in facilities, CCSC’s, and CRSU’s.  Coordinates transfer of offenders between facilities and release to the community. (371.04)

Assistant Section Leader (ASL):  The person second in command of the HNS. (Usually responsible for logistical matters during incidents). (414.04)

Assistant Site Coordinator: A staff member that assists the FTO Site Coordinator. Helps train and supervise FTOs. (106.06)

Associated Case Information:  Standardized contact information related to case narratives to provide context. Examples of associated case information are dates, times, and personal IDs (such as employee name, codes, and work site). (254.04 – 12/07)

Attempt: Conduct which is likely to result in an act prohibited by this directive. (410.01)

Attitudinal Non-Compliance:  Compliance with the letter and spirit of the agreement is minimal, but the behavior stops short of actively breaking the condition or passively refusing all cooperation.  The offender is contrary and uncooperative concerning condition compliance.  Generally this conduct does not warrant a violation and/or return to custody. (413.06)

Audit Team (Auditors):  A group of Department of Corrections employees appointed by the Director of Security Operations and Audits to conduct security/compliance audits at all correctional facilities. (403.01 - 9/07)

Author:  The person who writes the narrative case information or enters other associated case information. (254.04 – 12/07)

Authorization: Vested with legal authority.  This is the final step which enables implementation. (371)

Authorizing Authority: Superintendent/CRSU Supervisor or designee authorizing TTP or PTP. (344.02)

Awards Approval Committee: A Commissioner-appointed Department of Corrections’ employee committee with at least five (5) members, for the purpose of reviewing and selecting candidates for recommendation to the Commissioner, who have been nominated for annual Department of Corrections’ awards. (See Section 3.) (117.01 – 1/08)

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B

Bail: An amount of money determined by the court to be sufficient to allow the person to be released from confinement contingent on promise to appear for court proceedings. (315.01)

Basic Skills Test:  A written examination designed to assess the job applicant’s ability to read, perform math, and other problem solving. (122.03)

Behavioral Non-Compliance: Actual outright breaking of conditions by the offender, for that particular legal status (probation, supervised community sentence, parole or furlough, pre-approved or furlough reintegration). These behaviors are generally violatable actions.  This type of behavior is broken into two types: technical and serious. (413.06)

Best Practice: Includes the identification of the most satisfactory, suitable, and/or useful processes and/or acts needed to provide quality educational services in corrections. (389)

Biological or Chemical Agents: Substances that cause serious harm, injury, or illness to persons coming into contact with these substances. (414.05)

BOL: Be on the lookout.  A status of increased awareness where local law enforcement agencies are “watching” for an offender in the course of their normal duties.  Corrections staff may be actively searching for an offender on BOL status. (407.03)

Business Days: Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and recognized State holidays. (320.01)

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