Initial Custody Level Assignment · Resident Handbook

Initial Custody Level Assignment: Resident Handbook, page 3, St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton.

Resident Handbook, page 3.

Classification is the process that determines where you will live while you are incarcerated. All residents are classified utilizing the same objective criteria regardless of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin. The classification system separates males and females, gender non-conforming, residents requiring disciplinary detention for behavior issues, or administrative segregation, and those requiring or requesting protective custody. After all information is gathered and assessed, you will be assigned a custody level, which affects your housing, program and work participation. Generally, all residents are initially housed in PreClassification Housing, enabling staff to assess their behavior in a direct supervision setting.

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For residents

Ask & Learn: Ask a question about life at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton and get a plain-language answer drawn from the Resident Handbook.
Daily checklist for residents: Daily habits to stay organized and inspection-ready, with audio for each step.
Write a letter or report: Draft a clear, respectful letter, request or report with AI help.
Personal growth: AI-guided lessons on money skills, health, resilience and reentry planning.
Daily challenge: A small daily challenge to build skills and steady habits.

For family and visitors

Visitor FAQs: Answers for family and friends: visiting in person and by video, sending money and mail, a first visit and bonding at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton.
Visitor checklist: Check off what you need before you leave home for a visit, with audio for each step.
Search the handbook: Search the Resident Handbook for a rule or topic and read the exact section.
Location and services: Parking, directions, public transit and nearby services around the Justice Center in Clayton.

Check-in and release

Check-in checklist: A practical checklist for the days before you go to the St. Louis County Justice Center, with audio. Not legal advice.
Before release checklist: A checklist for release and the first 72 hours after: reporting, ID, benefits and support, with audio.

Help Directory and letter templates

Help Directory: Public services for residents and families, each checked against the organization’s official website: legal help, courts, health, reentry and more.
My letters: Keep track of letters you have sent and when to follow up. Saved only on this device.
Letter templates: Fill-in letter templates in Google Docs for residents and families, each with a short audio guide.

Resident Handbook

Resident Handbook: Read and search the St. Louis County Justice Center Resident Handbook, section by section.

For personnel

Policy lookup: Search the Resident Handbook for the exact rule, then read it or copy a citation.
Quick reference: The handbook sections used most on the floor: disciplinary codes and sanctions, PREA, grievances and classification.
Interventions: Educational ideas for early support, matched to a person’s stage and needs.
Staff checklists: General reminders for intake, shift start and PREA awareness. Not facility policy.

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