• Classification – This refers to assigning or to

grouping of inmates according to their respective

penalty, gender, age, nationality, health, criminal
records, etc.
 CLASSIFICATION BOARD
Chairperson Assistant Warden

Member Chief, Custodial/Security Officer

Member Medical officer/Public Health Officer

Member Jail Chaplain

Member Inmates Welfare and Development Officer

 Duties and Functions
The Classification Board is tasked to conduct
background investigation of inmates to determine the cell
assignment, the appropriate rehabilitative program, the type of
supervision and degree of custody and restrictions applicable
to the inmate/s. The investigation shall focus on the following:
a. Facts and data of the present case;
b. Inmate's recent criminal history and the facts about the
inmate's attitudes and behavior while confined in other
institutions, if the inmate is a recidivist or a habitual
delinquent;
c. Biography or life history;
d. Medical History;
e. Vocational, recreational, educational and religious
background/interests; and
f. Psychological characteristics as evaluated by the
psychiatrist and psychologist.
 The inmate is required to appear before the
Classification Board for validation of his/her profile. Upon
completion of the classification assessment, the inmate is then
apprised of his/her cell assignment and welfare programs
appropriate for him/her. He/she is asked if he/she is willing to
undergo this program for his/her own good. If he/she is willing,
the Board will see to it that the program planned for the inmate
is followed. Then the inmate is assigned to his/her cell
according to the approved classification.
 CLASSIFICATION PROCESS
A. Admission of Inmate
Once the inmate has undergone the registration
process; he/she will be temporarily housed at the Inmate
Classification and Counseling Unit (ICCU) in jails where it is
available. The inmate shall stay at the ICCU for a minimum
period of thirty (30) days but not exceeding sixty (60) days or
until the completion of the classification process. At the ICCU,
the newly committed inmate will undergo assessment by the
different health professionals.
B. Medical Examination
The jail medical Officer or the jail officer designated
nurse of the Health Unit will conduct a thorough physical
examination on the newly committed inmate and will note down
significant bodily marks, scars, tattoos and lesions based on
the medical certificate presented by the committing officer. He
or she must ensure that his/her findings are congruent to the
medical certificate presented. Any discrepancy shall warrant
further investigation by and reporting of the same to the CHR.
C. Results of the medical examination shall be recorded and
shall bear the signature of the physician or nurse who
conducted the examination. Medical issues will be attended to
accordingly.
D. Dental Examination
The jail dentist shall perform a thorough dental
examination and recording of his or her findings. The record
shall bear the signature of the dentist who conducted the
examination. Dental issues that need immediate attention shall
be so attended to accordingly.
E. Psychological Examination
The jail psychologist-in-charge shall conduct
psychological examination to determine the inmate’s
psychological state at the time of examination. Results will be
recorded in the psychologist’s logbook or in the health
assessment card/HAS and shall bear the signature of the
psychologist who conducted the examination.
F. Social Case Study
The jail social worker at the ICCU shall conduct in-depth
interview with the newly admitted inmate, an interview that
considers the "who the inmate is" from birth up to the present
including his/her familial, educational, social, vocational and
other issues that has an impact on his/her personality. The
findings will be recorded and shall bear the signature of the
social worker who conducted the assessment. In jails without
ICCU, the interview will be done by the social worker-in-charge
upon the order of the court or as requested by the medical
officer, the psychiatrist or the duly designated jail warden for
specific purposes.
G. Risk Assessment
A risk assessment tool shall be utilized to determine the
level of violence/risk the inmate poses, either external or
internal. This will help in the proper classification and
segregation of inmates and in the design of specific
development plans.
H. Psychiatric Evaluation
Using the results of the psychological examination,
social case study, and risk assessment, the psychiatrist
conducts a psychiatric evaluation to determine the present
mental state of the inmate and to diagnose any existing
psychiatric illness for further treatment. The result will be
recorded and shall bear the signature of the psychiatrist who
conducted the examination.
I. Case Management
Each inmate will be assigned to a specific case
manager who may either be a psychologist, a social worker or
a nurse. The case manager shall be responsible for the
consolidation of all the results and shall make the proper
decision as to the classification of the inmates and the
identification development programs for each inmate.
J. Inmate Orientation and Counseling
While undergoing assessment, the inmate shall be
oriented on the basic jail rules and regulations. He/she shall be
introduced to the different development programs that would
best promote his/her personal growth. In this phase, the newly
committed inmate shall likewise undergo counseling for
him/her to develop better coping skills thereby preventing
psychological imbalance in the early phase of incarceration.
K. Inmate Evaluation and Classification
Using the different tools of assessment, the newly
committed inmate will now be classified based on the level of
risk and present physical, mental and emotional state.

L. Proper Cell Assignment and Development Plans

After the inmate has undergone all the assessments,
his/her case manager shall consolidate all the results. Based
on the results of the final evaluation, the inmate may then be
assigned to the cell that is deemed best for his/her growth and
well-being.
M. The newly committed inmate is encouraged to participate
in the recommended development programs.

N. Monitoring
After the inmate has been transferred to his/her
assigned cell and has been attending the prescribed
development programs, the case manager shall periodically
monitor, and change and enhance inmate's development
program/s depending on his or her behavioral progress.