02/08/2012 47461

INMATE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS ANALYST, CORRECTIONS

DEFINITION: This is professional and administrative work in the review, evaluation and implementation of the Department of Corrections’ Inmate Classification and Assessment Systems.

An employee in this job is located in central office and is responsible for the assessment, implementation, and training of institutional staff in the use of the Department’s statewide inmate classification and assessment systems, such as the Pennsylvania Additive Classification Tool (PACT) and the Integrated Case Summary Application (ICSA), which provide for the review of an offender's criminal history and enable correctional administrators to make an assessment of inmate custody requirements. Work includes reviewing institutional inmate classification summaries and assessment instruments completed by institutional staff to determine inmate risks to re-offend and treatment needs; conducting on-site institutional audits to determine compliance with the Department's inmate classification and assessment systems policies and procedures; training departmental staff in the proper use of the inmate classification and assessment systems; and assisting with development and implementation of inmate classification and assessment systems policies and procedures. Work is assigned by an administrative supervisor and is reviewed through reports, meetings and conferences.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews and evaluates inmate classification summaries and instruments for completeness and quality assurance.

Approves or denies discretionary assessment and classification of inmates to include custody level override requests submitted by institutional staff.

Conducts periodic institutional audits of the inmate classification and assessment systems by traveling to institutions to review classification summary documents and completed assessments used for programmatic recommendations to determine compliance with policies and procedures.

Reviews and recommends approval or denial of inmate Correctional Plan Modification Requests submitted by institutional staff.

Identifies business procedure and security access system problems pertaining to the automated inmate classification and assessment systems and recommends changes or modifications.

Utilizes and tests computer applications, such as PACT and ICSA, to ensure modifications have resolved departmental problems and function properly.

Provides training to agency staff on the use of inmate classification systems and assessment guidelines, which are used to develop inmate correctional plans.

Assists in researching, recommending, drafting, and implementing revisions to policies and procedures regarding assessment and classification systems.

Provides support and guidance to facility staff regarding policy interpretation or procedural clarification for the classification and assessment systems.

Controls access to the PACT and ICSA assessment and classification system applications.

Collaborates as a team member with the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole on the development of shared computer applications and procedures.

Responds to inmate correspondence relating to custody levels as well as other assessment and classification needs.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and methods of penology.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior of criminal offenders.

Knowledge of correctional custody and security standards, procedures and methods.

Ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret written information.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of professional experience in casework, counseling, treatment, education, healthcare, corrections security or a related field in a correctional institution/facility;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes one year of professional experience in casework, counseling, treatment, education, healthcare, corrections security or a related field in a correctional institution/facility.