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Policies

The Montana Department of Corrections policies are public information and are located on this page for convenience.

Please note, the department does not publish its restricted policies as those relate to individual or public safety, or security at DOC facilities.

Policies are continually revised and are updated on the website as promptly as possible. Click here for the Department of Corrections Policies Manual.

The DOC and state of Montana are not responsible for any document that is falsified or modified in whole or in part by any individual who accesses them.

Additional Information

Social Media Terms of Use

All policies are downloadable in PDF format. A free copy Adobe Acrobat Reader® can be obtained at http://get.adobe.com/reader/

For policy and procedure inquiries, please refer to the Central Services Operations Bureau Chief:

Katie Donath

Email: corpolicy@mt.gov

Office: 406-594-2613

DOC Policies Index

Chapter 1: Administration and Management

Section 1 General Administration

1.1.2 Policy and Procedure Management

1.1.2 A Policy Unit Standard Operations Procedure Guide

1.1.4 Department and Board of Pardons and Parole Coordination

1.1.6 Priority Incident Reporting and Acting Director

1.1.7 Department Quality Assurance Responsibilities

1.1.7 A Quality Assurance Office Audit Procedure Manual

1.1.8 Media Relations

1.1.9 Legal Assistance for Staff

1.1.10 Department Facility/Program Tours

1.1.11 Department and Tribal Government Relations

1.1.14 Safety Program

1.1.15 Social Media

1.1.16 Public Communication

1.1.17 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

1.1.18 Systematic Critical Incident Review (SCIR)

1.1.19 Public Information Requests

1.1.21 Mobile Devices in Secure Facilities

Section 2 Fiscal Management

1.2.3 Accounting Procedures

1.2.4 Internal Controls

1.2.6 Offender Financial Transactions

1.2.7 Inventories and Public Records Management

1.2.8 Procurement

1.2.9 Contracts

1.2.10 Commissary/Canteen

1.2.12 Inmate Welfare Accounts

1.2.12A Global Fund Release Assistance Operations Procedure Guide

1.2.13 Non-Treasury Cash Accounts

1.2.14 Employee Travel

1.2.15 Discharge/Parole Gate Money

1.2.17 Department Grants and Assistance Management

1.2.18 Fleet Vehicle Operations and Management

1.2.19 Fraudulent Acts Reporting

Section 3 Human Resources

Montana Department of Corrections adhere to the State of Montana Human Resources (HR) policies. State HR policies may be found at https://hr.mt.gov/public/policies.
HR policies specific to Montana Department of Corrections are as follows:

1.3.2 Performance and Conduct

1.3.3 Workers' Compensation/Early Return to Work

1.3.8 Employee Time Management

1.3.12 Staff Association and Conduct with Offenders

1.3.15 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1.3.16 Volunteer Services

1.3.17 Student Interns

1.3.19 Drug-Free Workplace

1.3.29 On-Call status for Exempt and Nonexempt Employees

1.3.35 Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan

1.3.36 Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

1.3.41 Employee Dress, Uniform and Hygiene

1.3.42 Fragrance-Free Workplace

1.3.45 Performance Evaluations

1.3.46 Employee Meal and Rest Breaks

1.3.52 Workplace Family Relationships

1.3.54 Public Safety Officer Death

1.3.55 Criminal Conviction in Employment

Section 4 Staff Development and Training

1.4.1 Staff Development and Training

1.4.1A Training Operations Procedure Guide

Section 5 Case Records Management

1.5.1 Adult Offender Good Time Allowance

1.5.4 Transfer of Offender Records

1.5.5 Offender Records Management, Access, & Release

1.5.5A Correctional Offender Network Website (CONWeb) Standard Operating Procedure

1.5.7 Case Record Auditing

1.5.10 Registration of Sexual and Violent Offenders

1.5.11 Reporting of Admission or Release of Arsonists

1.5.12 Risk and Needs Assessments

1.5.13 DNA Testing/Collection of Biological Samples

1.5.14 Case Management in Adult Secure Facilities

Section 7 Information Systems

1.7.1 Information Technology Services

1.7.2 IT Hardware, Software and Contracted Service Standards

1.7.3 Data Quality

1.7.7 Computer Security

1.7.11 Websites

1.7.13 Offender Access to Computers

1.7.14 Software Licenses

Section 8 Victim Services

1.8.1 Victim Services

1.8.1A Victim Services Standard Operations Procedure Guide

Chapter 2: Physical Plant

Section 1 Building and Safety Codes

2.1.1 Facility Maintenance

2.1.3 Land Use Restrictions

Section 2 Size, Organization and Location

2.2.1 Facility Design/Capacity

Section 3 Housing

2.3.1 State-Owned Housing

2.3.2 Offender Housing/Construction

Chapter 3: Facility/Program Operations

Section 1 Security Operations

3.1.1 Management of the Security Program

3.1.2 Facility Security Manuals

3.1.3 Logs and Record Keeping

3.1.4 Perimeter Security

3.1.5 Entrance Procedures and Detainment of Non-Offenders

3.1.6 Control Center Operations

3.1.7 Emergency Equipment and Armory Operations

3.1.8 Use of Force and Restraints

3.1.11 Offender Movement Control

3.1.12 Offender Escort and Transport

3.1.13 Key Control

3.1.14 Tool Control

3.1.15 Security Inspections

3.1.17 Searches and Contraband Control

3.1.19 Investigations

3.1.20 Offender Drug Testing Program

3.1.21 Inmate Count and Supervision

3.1.24 Security Threat Group and Street Gang Identification and Management

3.1.26 Polygraph Tests for Offenders

3.1.27 Camera Surveillance System

3.1.28 Crime Scene and Physical Evidence Preservation

3.1.30 Offender Escorted Leave

3.1.31 Firearms

3.1.32 Electronic Monitoring System

3.1.33 Radio Communication Systems

3.1.33A Radio System Logistic Support Standard Operating Procedure

3.1.35 Body Scanners

Section 2 Emergency Management and Safety Plans

Emergency Management Plans

3.2.1 Emergency Management

3.2.2 Response Teams

3.2.3 Airspace Security

3.2.5 Internal Evacuation

3.2.6 External Evacuation

3.2.7 Emergency Perimeter Security

3.2.8 Facility Lockdown

Safety Plans

3.2.12 Control and Use of Hazardous Materials

Section 3 Rights and Privileges

3.3.2 Offender Legal Access to Courts

3.3.3 Inmate Grievance Program

3.3.4 Media Access to Offenders

3.3.5 Offender/Staff Communications Methods

3.3.6 Inmate Mail in Secure Facilities

3.3.7 Offender Access to Audio and Video Calling

3.3.8 Offender Visiting

3.3.9 Offender Marriages

3.3.10 Offender Issued Computer Tablets

3.3.15 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Offender Accommodations

3.3.20 Offender Nondiscrimination

3.3.21 Offender Video Visitation

Section 4 Rules and Discipline

3.4.1 Offender Disciplinary System

3.4.2 Prohibited Acts

3.4.3 Tobacco Use Regulations

Section 5 Special Management

3.5.1 Restrictive Housing

3.5.5 Behavior Management Plans

Section 6 Executions

3.6.1 Executions

Chapter 4: Facility/Program Services

Section 1 Reception and Orientation

4.1.1 Offender Admissions Process

4.1.2 Offender Reception and Orientation

4.1.3 Offender Personal Property

4.1.4 Indigent Status

4.1.5 Offender Name Change

Section 2 Classification

4.2.1 Offender Classification System

4.2.2 Special Needs Offenders

4.2.3 Unit Management

Section 3 Food Service

4.3.1 General Food Service Operations

4.3.2 Menu Planning

4.3.3 Food Service Safety and Sanitation

4.3.4 Food Service in Special Housing Units

Section 4 Sanitation and Hygiene

4.4.1 Offender Hygiene, Clothing and Linen Supplies

4.4.2 Facility Sanitation and Pest Control

Section 5 Health Services

4.5.2 Responsible Health Authority

4.5.3 Health Care Autonomy

4.5.4 Health Care Credentialing

4.5.5 Health Care Manual

4.5.6 Administrative Meetings and Reports

4.5.7 Offender Workers in Health Care Units

4.5.9 Continuous Quality Improvement

4.5.10 Level of Therapeutic Care

4.5.11 Infection Control Program

4.5.11A Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Treatment

4.5.12 Managed Care and Cost Containment

4.5.13 Intake/Reception Health Screening

4.5.14 Offender Health Care Assessments

4.5.15 Offender Health Care Access

4.5.16 Offender Non-Emergency Health Requests and Sick Call

4.5.19 Nursing Assessment Protocols

4.5.20 Emergency Medical Services

4.5.21 Restrictive Housing Offender Health Assessment and Services

4.5.22 Offender Health Care Continuity

4.5.23 Offender Health Care Escort and Transport

4.5.24 Offender Health Education and Promotion

4.5.25 Pharmaceuticals

4.5.26 Offender Dental Services

4.5.26A Dental Services

4.5.27 Offender Mental Health Services

4.5.29 Prescription Medication for Offenders with Mental Illness

4.5.31 Informed Consent and Right to Refuse Care

4.5.33 Offender Medical Emergency Notifications

4.5.34 Offender Death

4.5.35 Chemical Treatment of Sex Offenders

4.5.36 Health Records Transfer

4.5.37 Offender Health Records Format and Content

4.5.38 Offender Health Records Access, Release, and Retention

4.5.39 Offender Participation in Research Projects

4.5.40 Transfer Screening

4.5.41 Behavioral Consultation

4.5.42 Care for Terminally Ill Adult Offenders

4.5.43 Clinic Space, Equipment, and Supplies

4.5.44 Communication on Offender Health Needs

4.5.45 Health Care Liason

4.5.46 Orientation for Health Staff

4.5.47 Health Training for Custody Staff

4.5.48 Hospital and Speciality Care

4.5.49 Medical Surveillance of Offender Workers

4.5.50 Medication Administration Training

4.5.51 Clinical Staff Professional Development

4.5.52 Mental Health Medication Services

4.5.53 Mental Health Programs and Residential Units

4.5.54 Mental Health Treatment Plans

4.5.55 Offender Nutrition and Medical Diets

4.5.56 Offenders with Substance Abuse Disorders

4.5.56A Medication Assisted Treatment Program (MAT)

4.5.57 On-Site Diagnostic Services

4.5.58 Privacy of Care

4.5.59 Health Care Staffing

4.5.60 Therapeutic Relationship Protection

4.5.61 Mental Health and Severe Mental Illness Classification

4.5.62 Suicide Prevention and Intervention

Section 6 Release/Placement

4.6.2 Release, Transfer,and Movement Procedures

4.6.3 DOC Commitments

4.6.5 Adult Detention Placements

4.6.6 Furlough Program

4.6.7 Medical Parole

4.6.9 Placement and Reporting of Youth with Adult Sentences

4.6.10 Discharge, Release, and Transfer From YSD

4.6.11 Out of Home Placement of Youth

4.6.15 Pre-Parole Institutional Screening Process

Chapter 5: Offender Programs

Section 1 Work Programs

5.1.1 Inmate Assignments

5.1.3 Adult Offender Community Work Programs/Projects

5.1.5 Offender Community Presentations

5.1.6 Wildland Fire Suppression Crews

Section 2 Montana Correctional Enterprises

5.2.1 Correctional Enterprises

5.2.2 Correctional Enterprises Program Implementation Checklist

5.2.3 Department/MCE Product Sales

5.2.4 Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program

Section 3 Education Programs

5.3.1 Offender Education

5.3.2 Library Services

5.3.3 University Aid for Youthful Offenders

Section 4 Program Approval

5.4.1 Offender Program Approval Process

Section 5 Recreation Programs

5.5.3 Recreation Programs

5.5.4 Hobby Programs for Adult Facilities

Section 6 Religious Programs

5.6.1 Religious Programming

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES & NOTICES

The DOC adopts administrative rules by which it implements state law. The department accepts public comment on proposed rules before making a final decision on a proposed rule action. The department files proposal and adoption notices with the Secretary of State’s Office. That office publishes and distributes the final administrative rules adopted by state agencies.

DOC Administrative Rules

If you would like to receive DOC rulemaking notices, email your name, mailing and/or email address, and whether you prefer to receive notices by email or traditional mail, to

corpolicy@mt.gov

QUICK LINKS

CENTRAL OFFICE

Address: 5 S Last Chance Gulch Street
P.O. Box 201301
Helena, MT 59620-1301

Phone: (406) 444-3930