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T

Tactical Plan:  The Department’s five-step plan of response for all emergencies. (as established in the Department’s Emergency Preparedness training and plans). 1) locate 2) isolate 3) evacuate 4) resolve 5) deactivate. (414.04)

Tactical Support Unit (TSU):  Department of Public Safety’s (State Police) Tactical Support Team. (414.03)

Task/Site Supervision:  Community Supervision Teams are supervised to ensure:

·         They complete work assignments per customer specification

·         They follow proper safety rules and procedures

·         They are present at the work site throughout the work day

·         They work at a quality standard designated by the community restitution program.

Evaluation is accomplished by providing feedback to encourage appropriate participation, evaluating activity and participation level, recording and reporting positive and negative action, and assessing each offender’s performance for the work day. (424.05)

Team:  Two (2) or more individuals who have worked together for at least six (6) months on a specific project, special initiative, or activity having a common purpose.  Characteristics of teams include shared decision-making, shared accountability, and collective work products.

(From AHS Policy 4.04) (117.01 – 1/08)

Technical Violations:  Behavior or lack of behavior that violates conditions established by a legal authority and are not directly connected to criminogenic needs, are not connected to overly harmful behavior and do not involve criminal behavior.  Generally this conduct does not require arrest. (413.06)

Temporary Travel Permit (TTP):  Authorization that allows a Probationer or Parolee/SCS to visit another state not to exceed 30 days. (344.02)

Testing in Treatment:  Consensual testing of persons who are involved in a substance abuse program.  Results of such test are used only for treatment purposes and not for disciplinary or criminal sanctions. (367.01)

Threatening or Threatening Behavior: For purposes of the disciplinary process, these include any of the following: 1) Verbal threats when the offender has the ability and opportunity to carry out the threat. (Ability and opportunity are defined using the APCT standard.)  2) Physical threats where the offender has entered another person’s space in an intimidating manner.  The offender’s behavior may or may not include gross motor activity. 3) Verbal threats where the offender demonstrates knowledge of another person’s personal life, such as, “Don’t you live at (address)?” or, “Your kid goes to (specific school), doesn’t she?”  This knowledge must be articulated in conjunction with threatening behavior (410.01)

Third Party:  Members of the general public and employees or volunteers of federal or state agencies other than the Vermont Agency of Human Services or Any person who is not (1) the subject of a medical record; or (2) a person employed by the Department; or (3) a person who is providing health care on behalf of the Department. (254.02) (254.01)

Thirty (30) Day Rule:  An offender who has a positive test result, is given a DR and is found guilty of the DR, may not be tested for purposes of issuing a DR for the same drug for thirty (30) days following the collection of the specimen.  The offender may be tested for treatment purposes, or for another type of drug, however.  A DR may not be issued for a positive treatment test, but program requirements pertaining to positive tests may be imposed.  Offenders are not excluded from random drug procedure, but may not receive a disciplinary report for a positive test for the same drug. (367.01)

Tight-fitting Face Piece: A respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the individual’s face. (404.02 – 3/07)

Transport Chair: A gray-colored chair with larger wheels that has restraint capabilities only for inmate transport, requiring that handcuffs and leg irons are removed from the inmate while they are restrained in the chair. Use of the transport chair does not constitute 4-point restraint. This chair is referred to as the E.R.C Emergency Restraint Chair by the manufacturer. (413.10)

Trainee:  A person being trained in a special skill or skills and who is supervised by a person who is recognized to be properly skilled in those areas and in the ability to train. (361)

Training Assistant: A related duty assigned to selected Department staff for the purpose of providing operational supervision, mentoring, and coaching of trainees during the term of the residential Academy program. (106.05 – 11/07)

Training Assistant (TA):  The primary supervisor of trainees at the Correctional Academy. (106.06)

Training Coordinator: A fulltime classified employee who plans, develops, coordinates, and supervises on-going training programs. (106.05 – 11/07)

Training/Evaluation Mode: That portion of the FTO program that uses the assignment of an FTO, the FTO teaching process and the use of the Performance Checklist Process. (106.06)

Training Files:  A dual tracking system of a local file and a central file.  Local files include local in-service training information.  A central file is maintained by HRD and contains documentation of all HRD sponsored training.  (107.01)

Transition/Community Support Plan: A shorter part of the ORP, it contains the action steps designed to reduce criminogenic needs and support offender reintegration shortly prior to, upon, and immediately following reentry into the community from incarceration. (371.05 – 11/07)

Transmittal Memorandum: A sequentially-numbered memorandum designating specific changes in the contents of the Department of Corrections’ Security Manual. (403.03 – 10/07)

Treatment Contract:  A signed agreement between an offender and representative of a treatment program delineating the expectations on the offender as a result of enrollment in the program. (371.06)

Treatment Furlough: The transfer of an inmate, with the approval of the sentencing judge, to a residential treatment program providing services to the general population not otherwise available in a correctional facility. The services may include treatment for substance abuse, personal violence or any other condition that the Department has determined should be addressed in order to reduce the inmate’s risk to re-offend or cause harm to themselves or others in the facility. Treatment furlough includes transfer from facility headcount to a field headcount. (373.02)

Treatment Notes: Any written notes used in the Department’s programs for offenders that address need areas such as violence, sexual deviancy, or drug/alcohol abuse. (255)

Treatment Release Letter: A letter to the Court requesting permission to release the PSI report to a DOC-approved treatment provider for defendant treatment or assessment purposes. (342.01 – 4/07)

Treatment Records: Any written notes used in the Department’s treatment programs for offenders that address need areas, including but not limited to, violence or sexual deviancy.  Treatment notes would include: psychosexual evaluations; daily journals; thinking reports; treatment group or review forms; treatment team log books; relapse prevention plans; sexual autobiographies; and drug/alcohol treatment records. (254.01)

Treatment Services:  Clinical services requiring specialized knowledge and training delivered pursuant to a treatment plan. (254.03)

Treatment Team:  A group of Department employees, treatment providers and volunteers that are convened to discuss and make case decisions. (371.14)

U

Unlawful Discrimination: Any personnel action, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, that is based in whole or in part on the employee’s religion, age, sex, race, color, mental or physical condition, sexual orientation, ancestry, place of birth or national origin. (118.02)

Unlawful Retaliation: Any adverse personnel action or intimidation, harassment, or interference taken in response for filing a complaint or assisting in an investigation and/or intentionally filing a false complaint, pursuant to Directive 118.02 or any other investigation by a State or Federal entity pertaining to unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment. (118.02)

Unlawful Sexual Harassment: A form of sex discrimination that results from unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

A.      submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of employment; or

B.       submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a component of the basis for employment decisions affecting that individual; or

C.       the conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. (118.02)

Untimely Death: Instances of inmate death that occur in a facility, including homicide, suicide, accident, unexpected illness with death resulting and instances where the cause of death is unknown. (353)

Use of Force: Any situation in which an employee uses physical force against an inmate, offender or other person, expect those situations in which security restraints are used in a standard manner for escort or transport. (413.11, 413.01, Interim Procedure – Use of Force Field and Threats on Staff)

Username:  a sequence of characters, different from a password, that is used as identification and is required when logging on to a multi-user computer system, LAN, bulletin board system, or on-line service.  Also called user ID. (257.01)

Utensils: Includes knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups and serving trays. (413.09)

V

VASOR (Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk): A risk assessment scale for adult male sex offenders designed to assist Probation and Parole Officers in making placement and supervision decisions. Scores on the 13-item re-offense risk scale fall into one of three levels reflecting the probability of sexual re-offending five years post-release. The 6-item violence scale was designed for assessing the nature of an individual's violence history and offense severity (McGrath & Hoke, 2001). (342.01 – 4/07)

VT Correctional Academy (VCA) Program: An orientation and training program which provides an overview of the Department of Corrections and a basic level of knowledge, skills, and performance based training abilities for newly-hired staff. This includes a standardized, competency-based curriculum supported by appropriate materials and classroom resources. (106.05 – 11/07)

VT Sex Offender Registry: A registry established by statute in 1996 at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Vermont Criminal Information Center in compliance with federal law. It contains information on all sex offenders residing or employed in Vermont, or attending a post-secondary educational institution in Vermont. (255.01)

VT Sex Offender Internet Registry: A list established by statute at the Vermont Criminal Information Center containing names of sex offenders (as VT Sex Offender Registry) who meet one of the following criteria: 1) types of conviction defined by statute, 2) active warrant for Registry violation, 3) designation as high risk, and/or 4) offenders who are not in compliance with DOC recommended treatment. (255.01) 

Verbal Orientation:  Tell inmate/offender general rules/regulations of the institution, general programs of the institution regarding assignment of case managers and the classification process. (371)

VT Correctional Academy (VCA) Program: An orientation and training program which provides an overview of the Department of Corrections and a basic level of knowledge, skills, and performance based training abilities for newly-hired staff. This includes a standardized, competency-based curriculum supported by appropriate materials and classroom resources. (106.05 – 11/07)

Vermont Correctional Facility Law Library: A secure area designated to house the legal resources to assist inmates in the preparation of court cases within the scope of Access to Courts.  The primary and secondary legal materials intended to provide the tools for basic research include various inmate legal reference manuals, "how to" legal texts, key titles of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, printed cases    relevant   to state and federal post-conviction relief, review of governmental action (V.R. C. P 75) and civil rights complaints pertaining to conditions of confinement. from U.S. District Court, District of Vermont, Second Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, Vermont Superior Courts,  Vermont Supreme Court and  U.S. Supreme Court. (385.01)

Vermont Correctional Industries (VCI): those industries operated entirely within Vermont correctional facilities that sell goods and services to federal and state agencies, municipalities, and non-profit organizations, and that pay wages to offenders using receipts from those sales. (394.01)

Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC): Part of the Department of Public Safety (DPA) in Waterbury, it is a state repository for all criminal histories and includes identifying information such as fingerprints and mug shots. (255.01)

Vermont Occupational Safety & Health Administration (VOSHA): The division of the Vermont Department of Labor, which oversees occupational safety, issues in Vermont. (404.02 – 3/07)

Vermont State Hospital:  A State operated hospital for mentally ill people who may be admitted voluntarily or involuntarily for the treatment of their mental illness. (361)

Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Abusers (VTPSA): A Vermont facility and community-based DOC treatment program of offenders convicted of sexually-related offenses. (255.01)

Victim:  A person who sustains physical, emotional or financial injury or death as a direct result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime or act of delinquency and shall also include family members of a minor, incompetent or a homicide victim. (502.01, 502.02) This also includes the alleged victim(s) of an inmate who has been charged with a crime and is incarcerated as a detainee. (327.01)

Victim’s Advocate:  A person who is hired and serves at the pleasure of the State’s Attorney and who provides services to victims. (502.01 502.02)

Victim Impact Panel (VIP):  A panel made up of persons previously victimized by a crime.  VIPs meet with groups of offenders to share their story of how being a victim of a crime affected their lives and the lives of their friends and family.  VIP use is not a restorative methodology, but when used as a pre-requisite for or in conjunction with restorative methodologies, VIP can be a catalyst for meaningful participation in these processes. (501.01)

Victim Permission to Visit: A victim may obtain this form from the Department Victim Services Director or designee, which may allow the victim to visit the inmate associated with their crime. (see Directive 327.01 Attachment #4) (327.01)

Victimization or Hazardous Event: Any act of violence, threat of violence, intimidation, extortion, theft of property, damage to one’s reputation, or any act which inflicts damage, instills fear, or threatens one’s sensibilities. (422.01)

Victims of Serious Crimes: Any person who was the victim of a crime or offense of a particular offender(s) who is the subject of the records in question.  Serious crimes include the following: assault (all types); stalking (all types); lewd and lascivious conduct (with or without child); murder; robbery; manslaughter; arson; maiming; kidnapping; sexual assault (all types); unlawful restraint (first and second degree); operating vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or other substance (with death or serious bodily injury resulting); careless and negligent operation resulting in bodily injury or death; leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury or death; and the attempt to commit any of the above. (254.01)

Violation:  Non-compliance with a condition of supervision by an action or behavior or lack of action or behavior that doesn’t comply with and violates a condition of supervision agreed to by the offender and the hearing authority. (413.06)

Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG):  An actuarial risk prediction tool, which uses validated predictor variables to assess the likelihood of violent recidivism. This tool is administered by clinically trained professionals. (371.07, 371.08, 371.10, 371.11, 371.12)

Visible I.D.:  An attached special card, Department of Correction’s I.D., Volunteer I.D., ore a visitor’s card, which must be displayed at all times, except for those authorized to move directly to the designated visiting room. (415)

Visiting Cards:  Inmate’s personal visitors, and reporters or journalists who wish to visit inmates, will sign in on the visiting card which, when completed, will be placed in the inmate’s adjunct file.  The card will contain the full name, address, relationship, date, time, and type of proof of identification used. (415)

Visiting Registration Center: The place in each facility where visitors register. (327.01)

Visitor:  Any person other than an inmate, offender or Department of Corrections’ employee or volunteer who enters a correctional facility for the purpose of visiting an inmate or offender. (409.01)

Visitors Log:  A bound book in which a permanent record is kept of all visitors except volunteers, personal visitors, facility staff, buildings maintenance, locally assigned facility staff-which includes full name, type of identification presented, nature of business, time of arrival and departure, and a brief notation of unusual occurrence. (415)

Volunteer:  Any person who performs a function within a correctional facility or with correctional clients for no payment, or who receive a stipend by outside resource. (415, 126)

Volunteers Log:  A bound book in which a permanent record is kept of all volunteers visiting the facility. (415)

Volunteer Services Coordinator (VSC): The correctional staff person who has responsibility for the volunteer services program in a correctional facility, including the religious observance program (in conjunction with the facility Superintendent). (380.01 – 1/08)

VOWP Inmate Participant:  An inmate who is engaged in a VOWP work and training program. (410.02)