Arizona Administrative Code Title 5 - CORRECTIONS
1. Purpose of Title 5 – Corrections
Title 5 of the Arizona Administrative Code governs the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) and its operations. Its primary purpose is to:
Protect public safety by managing incarcerated individuals safely and securely.
Ensure humane treatment of inmates while enforcing laws.
Provide programs for rehabilitation and reentry into society.
Establish rules, standards, and procedures for the administration of correctional facilities and personnel.
Essentially, it is Arizona’s legal framework for how prisons operate and how correctional staff must perform their duties.
2. Scope of Title 5
Title 5 applies to:
All state correctional facilities under the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Correctional officers and staff, including training, conduct, and discipline.
Inmates, including their rights, responsibilities, and rules for behavior.
Programs and services provided in correctional facilities, such as education, healthcare, and work programs.
It covers everything from facility operations to inmate management and employee standards.
3. Key Areas of Regulation
A. Inmate Management and Rights
The Code sets rules regarding:
Inmate admission and classification: How new inmates are processed, evaluated, and assigned housing.
Inmate behavior and discipline: Rules about prohibited actions and procedures for disciplinary hearings.
Inmate privileges and programs: Access to education, work assignments, religious services, recreation, and healthcare.
Safety and protection: Ensuring inmates are protected from harm, including from other inmates or staff misconduct.
B. Facility Operations
Title 5 governs the day-to-day running of correctional facilities:
Security procedures: Use of restraints, searches, and control of contraband.
Housing: How inmates are assigned to cells or units based on security classification.
Facility inspections and audits: Ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.
C. Staff Standards and Training
The Code outlines expectations for correctional employees:
Hiring requirements: Background checks, education, and character standards.
Training programs: Instruction in security procedures, inmate management, ethics, and emergency response.
Conduct and discipline: Rules for professional behavior and actions if staff violate policies.
D. Rehabilitation and Programs
Title 5 emphasizes rehabilitation through programs like:
Educational programs: Basic literacy, GED preparation, vocational training.
Work programs: Job assignments within the facility, which may include facility maintenance or prison industries.
Counseling and treatment: Substance abuse programs, mental health counseling, and reentry planning.
E. Health and Safety
The Code sets rules for:
Medical care: Providing necessary healthcare services to inmates.
Mental health services: Counseling, psychiatric care, and suicide prevention programs.
Emergency procedures: Handling fires, riots, medical emergencies, or natural disasters.
F. Use of Force and Security
Title 5 regulates:
Use of force: Guidelines for when and how staff can use force against inmates.
Restraints and isolation: Rules for disciplinary isolation or protective custody.
Reporting and oversight: Documentation and review of any use-of-force incidents.
4. Enforcement and Accountability
The Arizona Department of Corrections, guided by Title 5, has the power to:
Discipline inmates for violations of facility rules.
Investigate staff misconduct or violations of regulations.
Take corrective action for unsafe or noncompliant facility operations.
Audit programs to ensure legal compliance and effectiveness.
Violations of Title 5 by staff or inmates can lead to:
Loss of privileges (for inmates)
Suspension or termination (for staff)
Legal consequences if laws are broken
✅ 5. Summary
Arizona Administrative Code, Title 5 – Corrections provides the legal framework for managing state prisons and correctional operations. It ensures that:
Inmates are managed safely and humanely.
Staff are trained, qualified, and accountable.
Facilities operate according to security, safety, and operational standards.
Programs for rehabilitation and reentry are available.
Health, safety, and emergency protocols are strictly enforced.
In short, Title 5 ensures that Arizona’s prison system protects the public, treats inmates fairly, and operates efficiently, balancing security with rehabilitation.
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