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P

Paraprofessional:   A worker who is not a member of a given profession but who assists a professional. (361)

Parole: The release of an inmate to the community by the Parole Board before the end of the inmate’s sentence, subject to conditions imposed by the Board and subject to the supervision and control of the Commissioner of Corrections. (371.05 - 11/07)

Password:  A secret word, phrase, or sequence of characters required for gaining access to a computer system. (257.01)

Pat Search:  An inspection of an offender, using the hands, that does require the inmate to remove jacket or coat, boots or shoes and emptying of pockets, but no other clothing.  The inspection includes a search of the inmate’s clothing and personal effects. (409.01)

Pat Search: A search of a person that is conducted by running hands across the person’s clothing to detect any hidden objects, including examination of pockets, shoes and cap. (327.01)

Patient: An offender who has been ordered by a Vermont court or directed by the Department of Corrections or Parole Board to participate in alcohol or drug abuse treatment, counseling or assessment which is conducted or supervised by the Vermont Department of Corrections. (254.03)

Payment Authorization:  Approval for payment by the Division of Dental Health for dental services provided. (352)

Pencil File: A manila or six-section file used for federal inmates, offenders being held for a lack of bail, offenders 120 days or less or offenders serving reparative or administrative sentences. (251.01)

Performance Checklist: A list of steps directly connected to the completion of a job or task that includes a standardized teaching process. (106.06)

Performance Standard: An output or activity, which is unique to the employee or class of employees and regarded as reasonable and purposeful. (113)

Perimeter:  The interior and exterior fence system surrounding the facility. (413.07)

Personnel Administrator: The permanent, full time classified employee of the Agency of Human Services who is responsible for: coordinating the investigations of any complaints made pursuant to Directive 118.02; informing the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections of the status of such investigations; and, advising the appropriate appointing authority and the Director of Correctional Service of appropriate disciplinary action intended to address unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment or retaliation. (118.02)

Persons in Custody:  Detentioner, sentenced offenders, persons lodged on civil contempt, and persons lodged as incapacitated under 18 VSA ss 9144. (254.02)

Pharmacist:  One licensed to prepare, preserve, compound, and dispense drugs as prescribed by a duly licensed physician, in accordance with the rules and regulations of Vermont State laws. (351)

Philosophy: Pursuit of wisdom; general understanding of values by chiefly speculative rather than observable means; the grounds and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs; the most general belief, concepts, attitudes (of the group). (03)

Photograph Identification: A card that has been issued by a government agency bearing the holder’s name, date of birth, address and photograph. (327.01)

Physical Force: The use of hands, other parts of the body, objects, instruments, chemical devices, electronic devices, firearms or other physical methods used to restrain, subdue, control, intimidate or to compel persons to act in a particular way or to stop acting in a particular way. (413.01, Interim Procedure – Use of Force Field and Threats on Staff)

Physician: A person licensed in Vermont for the practice of medicine. (202,306, 351,361,363)

Physician’s Assistant: A health care professional who works with a physician and provides services to people in the treatment of medical illness and the maintenance of physical health as an extension of the physician’s practice. (202)

PIECP:  The Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program. (394.02)

PIECP Inmate Worker:  An inmate who works to produce or transport goods in interstate commerce for a Prison Work Pilot Project. (394.02) 

Placement:  The commitment or assignment of a person to a facility, or to any supervisory care or treatment program, as a result of official or unofficial actions. (326.01)

Policy: Policies are broad position statements that describe a direction, course, or position that the Commissioner’s Office, Agency of Human Services Secretary, or Vermont Statute has established through:

1. A clear articulation of the policy in statute.
2. Rulemaking
3. The direction of the Commissioner or Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, whether by memo or other communication. (02)

Population Management Transfer:  Intradepartmental transfer of inmates that are driven by the need to macro manage the overall inmate population across the state. (313.01)

Positive Personal Identification:  Written proof of identity that, at a minimum, shows name, date of birth, height, weight, color of hair and eyes. (415)

Positive Reinforcement:  Reward, acknowledgment, or feedback that the recipient perceives as positive or helpful indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation following correct or desired behavioral performance; or a desirable consequence. (76.05)

Possession:  An item that is 1) found on one’s person or the clothing being worn by that person; or 2) found in one’s personal belongings or cell; or 3) found in an area that one exerts control over, and there is independent evidence that the inmate knew it was there. Further a) confidential information exists supporting that the inmate had knowledge the contraband was there; b) staff observation of the inmate’s behavior led to staff’s suspicion that the inmate is hiding contraband; c) staff observed an inmate with contraband; or d) other evidence indicated the contraband was placed by the inmate. (410.01)

Post: An established work assignment within a correctional facility that an employee may be given for part of or an entire work shift, that includes duties and responsibilities related to;

• a specific physical location within a correctional facility; or
• multiple locations within a correctional facility; or
• a location outside a correctional facility, such as a medical facility or court. (403)

Post Orders: A written job or task requirement for conducting operations at a specific job site. (02) A document that contains specific procedures that an employee is required to follow when performing duties and responsibilities or responding to an incident related to a post. (403)

Post Certification Checklist:  A list of Performance checklists that must be completed for an employee to work a new post. (106.06)

Post Duties Assessment:  A listing of duties and tasks associated with a function or Post.  Post Duties Assessment is used to develop Performance Checklists. (106.06)

Practitioner/Treating Dentist:  Any dentist duly licensed by the State of Vermont or any state in which they practice dental science. (352)

Pre-Academy Field Training: One week of job shadowing for new staff at a work site, combined with some on-the-job training based on learning objectives defined by the Academy Administrator. (See Administrative Directive #106.06, Vermont Correctional Academy Field Training Program.) (106.05 – 11/07)

Pre-Approved Furlough:  1) A legal status used for offenders who are determined eligible for Intermediate Sanctions Programs by the Department of Corrections and who are recommended for placement in these programs by the court at sentencing.  These furloughs are pre-approved by the Department after it conducts an eligibility screening prior to sentencing to determine if the offender meets the criteria established for the program to which the court refers him/her.  For offenders who are pre-screened and determined eligible for the Corrections’ program, receive an appropriate sentence of incarceration and further receive recommendation on the mittimus by the court for placement on furlough, the Department will forgo the normal inmate classification rules and honor the court’s recommendation regarding placement in the community based program by executing a furlough to the offender if he/she agrees to the terms and conditions outlined in a furlough agreement. (371.13) 2) The legal status in which an inmate is sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment, but is placed by a court on furlough to participate in such programs administered by the Department that reduce the offender’s risk to reoffend. (371.05 – 11/07)

Pre-Arranged Activation: A test of the CAN system scheduled 48 hours in advance with CAN Inc.  This is a non-emergency activation where calls are actually made.  The activation will include a message identifying the test/drill. (26.05)

Pre-Hearing Suspension: Discontinuation of a furlough pending a hearing to determine if the furlough will be continued or terminated. (371.13, 372)

Pre-Plea PSI: A pre-sentence investigation (PSI) which may be ordered by the Court prior to a defendant’s adjudication of guilt. (342.01 – 4/07)

Presentence Investigation Report (PSI):  The investigatory report by a CSS/PO into an offender’s social, economic, medical, education, and criminal background.  This report is ordered by the court and submitted to the judge so that informed sentencing decisions can be made. (313.02)

Presenting Officer:  1)A staff person assigned by the Hearing Officer to present facts relevant to the incident for disciplinary consideration.  The Presenting Officer may also have been the Investigating Officer. (410.01) 2) A staff person assigned by the Hearing Officer to present facts relevant to the decision to segregate.  The Presenting Officer may also have been the Investigating Officer. (410.03)

Press Liaison:  A pre-identified person whose role during a disturbance is to host and interact with the press and issue press releases authorized by the commissioner. (414)

Presumptive Completion Date:  The date when a high/medium high supervision level offender will be reassessed for anticipated discharge from a risk management program.  At this time, the offender will be discharged from the program, absent any disqualifying factors. (425.02)

Presumptive Release Date:  Date of proposed release on furlough or furlough eligibility date. (313.02)

Prevention:  To forestall, to keep from happening or existing; to hold or keep back from, hinder, or stop, to interpose an obstacle.

Primary Supervisor:  The staff member who is assigned supervisory responsibilities and who writes the employee’s annual performance evaluation. (106.06)

Prior Authorization:  Approval of the division of Dental Health of all treatment plans and fees to be paid for services listed.  Prior Authorization is required before treatment is initiated for any essential dental services other than those determined to be emergency dental treatment. (352)

Privilege: A benefit bestowed upon an individual to whom a person has no right or legal entitlement. (410.01)

Privileged Correspondence:  Any correspondence from an inmate to a public official of the state, or of the United States. (311, 311.01)

Probation: The legal status a court may impose on a defendant that suspends all or part of the sentence and places the person in the care and custody of the Commissioner of Corrections, upon such conditions and for such time as it may prescribe, in accordance with law, or until further order of the court. (371.05 – 11/07)

Process Evaluation: A formal review of programs coordinated and/or conducted by the Correctional and Restorative Program Design and Evaluation Team for the purpose of determining if the program has been implemented as designed.  Process evaluation focuses on compliance with standards (policy and procedure), process indicators and best-practice measures. (52.01)

Process Indicators: Criteria to be met if a program operates in accordance with its design specification. (52.01)

Process Measures:  Surveys, database reports, audits, statistical studies and other measurement strategies and methods used to determine if a program met the process indicators. (52.01)

Professional:  Case documentation which includes the following: respectful language with accurate spelling, grammar, and language usage; opinions supported by observed behaviors; narratives concise and clear in their meaning; only information pertinent to the case included in the narrative. (254.04 – 12/07)

Professional Development Plan: Written plan/agreement between supervisor and CSS defining goals, expectations, training, and other related performance objectives. (125.01)

Program: Any person or organization that, in whole or in part, holds itself out as providing, and does provide, alcohol or drug abuse diagnosis, treatment or referral for treatment with direct or indirect financial assistance- 42 CFR, sections 2.11, 2.12(a)(1)(ii). (254.03)

Programs: The Department of Corrections provides a range of treatment programs to address crime-related need areas (criminogenic needs) and lower the likelihood of recidivism or further criminal conduct by the offender. Treatment programs are offered to offenders in correctional facilities and Probation and Parole offices. Some examples of correctional programs are as follows:

• Cognitive Self Change (CSC) – A Vermont facility and community-based DOC treatment program for offenders convicted of violent offenses.

• Incarcerative Intensive Domestic Abuse Program (INDAP) – A Vermont facility-based

DOC treatment program for offenders convicted of domestic assault or a domestic-related

offense. • Intensive Domestic Abuse Program (IDAP) – A Vermont community-based DOC treatment program for offenders convicted of domestic assault or a domestic-related offense.

• Intensive Substance Abuse program (ISAP) – A Vermont community-based DOC treatment program for offenders convicted of alcohol/drug-related offenses.

• Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Abusers (VTPSA) – A Vermont facility and

community–based DOC treatment program for offenders convicted of sexually-related

offenses. (371.05 – 11/07)

Program Completion: Satisfactory attainment of the goals set forth in a treatment program. (371.06)

Program Eligibility Window (PEW):  The potential range of months of treatment in a given program for which an offender’s sentence qualifies him/her. (371.12)

Program File: Program files have been established for the Cognitive Self-Change Program, Sex Offender Program and Intensive Substance Abuse Program.  A program file directive for the Intensive Domestic Abuse Program is forthcoming.  Information belonging in a program file shall not be placed in an offender’s core file. (251.01, 251.02, 251.03, 251.04, 251.05)

Program Manual:  A manual, which describes the goals of a treatment program, its expected outcomes, its methods, and the expectations to which an offender will be held. (371.06)

Program Participation Credit (PPC):  A monthly award of credit for satisfactory participation in correctional programs.  A single unit is awarded for each satisfactory month of participation.  The number of PPC’s required prior to the offender’s recommended release date is determined by the sentence structure and the length of the treatment program. (371.12, 371.06)

Program Progress:  Evidence that an offender has achieved, or is achieving, specific desired treatment objectives.  This may be seen from effort and achievement in group process, homework assignments, or other facets. (371.06)

Program Suspension:  Temporary removal from a treatment program for reasons that include, but are not necessarily limited to, failure to participate satisfactorily and/or achieve treatment expectations at given points in time.  Program participation credits awarded prior to suspension are not forfeited. (371.06)

Program Termination:  Removal from a treatment program for reasons that include, but are not necessarily limited to, failure to participate satisfactorily and/or achieve treatment expectations at given points in time.  Program participation credits awarded prior to suspension are forfeited. (371.06)

Program Transfer:  A transfer necessary to implement the initial or subsequent element of an inmate’s caseplan.  Concern will be shown for the need to provide a continuum of services at the appropriate level of security and the impact that this type of transfer will have on their programming. (313.01)

Projected Movement Date (PMD): The date at which it is projected that an incarcerated offender will be eligible to be released to the community. (371.05 – 11/07)

Property Disposition File:  A separately maintained file, at each facility, of property caused to be disposed of by the Superintendent, in compliance with this policy (Directives 321 and 321.01).  At a minimum, the file will contain the inmate’s name, description of property, and how it was disposed of and an approximate value of the property destroyed. (321, 321.01)

Proselytizing: Approaching someone with the intent to persuade that person to convert to a particular faith group.

Protective Custody:  A form of separation from the general population for inmates requesting or requiring protection from other inmates for reasons of health or safety. (410.03, 410.05, 410.06)

Provisional Travel Permit (PTP):  In emergency situations a PTP may be issued by a sending state to allow a Probationer or Parolee/SCS to proceed to a receiving state prior to investigation and acceptance of supervision of the Adult Probation and Parole Interstate Compact (ISC) case by the receiving state.  The sending state must receive reporting instructions prior to the offender traveling to the receiving state. (344.02)

PSI (Pre-sentence Investigation): An investigation of an offender that results in a written report by a Probation & Parole Officer (PSI Investigator) looking into the defendant’s social, economic, medical, educational, and criminal background. The Court orders this report, and staff submit it to the Court to assist them in making informed sentencing decisions. PSI also refers to the report itself. (342.01 – 4/07)

PSI Investigator: A DOC staff member who has been trained in conducting a pre-sentence investigation, writing a PSI report, and representing the Department’s recommendation in court. (342.01 – 4/07)

Psychiatrist:  A duly licensed physician authorized to specialize in mental health disorders. (351,361)

Psychologist:  A duly licensed professional authorized to practice the branch of science dealing with behavior and mental processes. (361)

Psychometric Properties:  Characteristics of assessment measures that are considered in their deployment.

a.        Predictive Criterion Validity- The extant to which an individual’s future behavior on a criterion (e.g.     

Violent recidivism) may be predicted by assessment data.

b.       Concurrent Criterion Validity- The extent to which an individual’s current behavior on a criterion is   

reflected by assessment data.

c.        Reliability- the extent to which a measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials or by different administrator’s of the measuring procedure. (371.07)

Psychopathy Checklist- Revised (PCL-R):  A measure of the construct of psychopathy.  The instrument yields two factor scores (Factor 1 reflects interpersonal style, personality and characteristics; Factor 2 reflects behavioral history and profile) and a total score from 0 to 40.  Total scores above 30 reflect a high level of psychopathy and a commensurately increasing level of risk of both general and violent recidivism, poor prognosis for treatment success, and institutional problems.  This tool is administered by clinically trained professionals with certification in the use of the instrument.  PCL-R ratings are made by a clinician or researcher on the basis of a semi-structured interview and review of collateral information. (371.07)

Psychotropic Medication:  Medication, which has a primary impact on the psychological state of the user.  These medications are prescribed by physicians, preferably psychiatrists, for the specific purpose of changing the user’s psychological state. (361)

Public(s):  A cluster of the community that share broad community identity, The public at-large or specific subgroups such as legislators, State's Attorneys, community service clubs, selectmen, media members, businesses, church groups and others as identified. (26)

Public Good:  Overall benefit to the interests and well being of the citizens of the state in light of all the social and economic costs and benefits. (398)

Public Information: The activity and philosophy of providing knowledge and education to the Department’s publics about the values and ideas it operates from and the problems and opportunities it faces.  Any Department of Corrections related information that is not exempt from disclosure by statute, contract, judicial decision or department policy and directive. (26)

Public Information Officer (PIO):  The person responsible to manage media and other public interest group relations. (414.03)

Public Rate Cost: The fee schedule for the actual cost of copying records as established by the Secretary of State. (254.01, 254.02)

Public Records Division: The Agency of Administration division charged with the responsibility of giving aid to all custodians of public records and adopting rules as necessary for the effectual maintenance and preservation of all public records in the State. (252)

Public Safety:  The physical and mental well-being of the Vermont community at large. (414)

Publication:  The insertion of narrative and associated case information into shareable forms. (371.07)

Published:  The placement of narrative and other case information into a permanent, standardized, shareable, electronic format. (254.04 – 12/07)

Punishment: A suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution (recompense). (03)

Purposeful Jeopardy:  The decision by staff to enter a situation that they knowingly do not have a control advantage. (413.06)