You have probably heard the terms, minimum, medium and maximum security. All inmates who are in prison are classified according to the risk they present to themselves, other inmates, staff and the community, based upon a standard set of objective criteria.

The criteria include:

• Length of minimum sentence
• Length of time remaining to serve
• Criminal behavior involved in the current offense
• Past criminal behavior
• Escape history
• Escape characteristics
• Special skills and associates
• Institutional adjustment
• Behavioral characteristics (suicidal, predatory, etc.)
• Special needs (protective custody, segregation, etc.)
• Detainers

Also considered, in addition to the above criteria, are such issues as inmate performance in sex offender's treatment, detainers, absconding supervised release, gang involvement, pending disciplinary issues and civil commitment issues. 

Presumption of Minimum Custody Status for Selected Condition Violators

If an offender is returned to prison for violating his/her conditions of post release supervision, they will be classified as minimum custody if:

• the violation is not a new criminal conviction, and
• they were not classified as maximum security or special management prior to their most recent release from prison; and
• they are within 90 days of their scheduled release: or
• if an exception is made in accordance with KDOC policies.