Chapter DOC 310

DOC 310.12(4)(b) (b) The complaint has been rejected.

DOC 310.12(4)(c) (c) The appeal is premature.

DOC 310.12(4)(d) (d) The appeal does not list the complaint file number or contains more than one complaint file number.

DOC 310.12(4)(e) (e) The appeal does not meet the criteria listed under s. DOC 310.10.

DOC 310.12(5) (5) The CCE may recommend rejection of an appeal not filed in accordance with s. DOC 310.09.

DOC 310.12(6) (6) Upon good cause as determined by the CCE, an appeal filed later than 14 days after the date of the reviewing authority decision may be accepted.

DOC 310.12(7) (7) The CCE shall have full access to the institution, inmates, employees, and department records to investigate the appeal.

DOC 310.12(8) (8) The CCE shall give priority to health or personal safety complaints.

DOC 310.12(9) (9) For all accepted appeals, the CCE shall recommend that the reviewing authority decision be affirmed or dismissed, in whole or in part, and send its recommendation to the secretary within 45 days of receipt of the appeal. The CCE may extend the time for submitting a recommendation with notice provided to the inmate.

DOC 310.12 History History: CR 16-054: cr., Register March 2018, No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.

DOC 310.13 DOC 310.13 Secretary’s decision.

DOC 310.13(1) (1) The secretary shall make a decision within 45 days following receipt of the CCE’s recommendation. The secretary may extend the time for making a decision for good cause with notice provided to the inmate.

DOC 310.13(2) (2) The secretary shall affirm or dismiss the CCE’s recommendation, in whole or in part, or return the appeal to the CCE for further investigation.

DOC 310.13(3) (3) The secretary’s decision is final.

DOC 310.13(4) (4) If the inmate does not receive the secretary’s written decision within 90 days of the date of receipt of the appeal in the CCE’s office, the inmate shall consider the administrative remedies to be exhausted, unless the time has been extended under sub. (1).

DOC 310.13 History History: CR 16-054: cr., Register March 2018, No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.

DOC 310.14 DOC 310.14 Complaint processing following release. If an inmate is released from an institution prior to a decision being made on a complaint or appeal, the complaint will be processed in accordance with this chapter.

DOC 310.14 History History: CR 16-054: cr., Register March 2018, No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.

DOC 310.15 DOC 310.15 Resolution of affirmed complaint.

DOC 310.15(1) (1) If the decision requires a change in administrative practice or policy, the department shall implement the change as soon as practicable.

DOC 310.15(2) (2) If the resolution of an affirmed complaint has not been implemented within 60 days, the inmate may inform the decision-maker in writing.

DOC 310.15 History History: CR 16-054: cr., Register March 2018, No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.

DOC 310.16 DOC 310.16 Confidentiality.

DOC 310.16(1) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the department shall ensure that complaints filed under this chapter are confidential.

DOC 310.16(2) (2) ICRS staff may reveal the identity of inmates and the nature of the complaint to the extent reasonably necessary to investigate the complaint, implement the remedy, or to respond to litigation.

DOC 310.16(3) (3) The reviewing authority or secretary may waive confidentiality of a complaint if the security, safety, or health of the institution or any person is involved.

DOC 310.16(4) (4) The reviewing authority or secretary may waive confidentiality of a complaint to satisfy PREA standards and reporting requirements.

DOC 310.16(5) (5) A copy of or reference to a complaint or decision may not be placed in the inmate’s institution files except with authorization from the reviewing authority or as required under sub. (2) or (3).

DOC 310.16(6) (6) An inmate may file a complaint alleging a breach of confidentiality under this section.

DOC 310.16(7) (7) An inmate waives confidentiality by making known any aspect of a complaint to persons outside the ICRS.

DOC 310.16(8) (8) The confidentiality of the complaint process does not prohibit disciplinary action under ch. DOC 303 for misuse of the ICRS. Misuse of the ICRS includes complaints that are intended to do any of the following:

DOC 310.16(8)(a) (a) Harass.

DOC 310.16(8)(b) (b) Cause emotional distress.

DOC 310.16(8)(c) (c) Threaten to cause harm or bodily injury.

DOC 310.16(8)(d) (d) Erode the integrity or credibility of employees by knowingly providing false statements.

DOC 310.16(8)(e) (e) Disrupt department or institution operations.

DOC 310.16(9) (9) ICRS staff may access an inmate’s protected health information to investigate, make recommendations, render decisions, and decide appeals when access is related to the complaint, subject to any of the following:

DOC 310.16(9)(a) (a) Written authorization is not required from the inmate.

DOC 310.16(9)(b) (b) Access may include verbal information from a health provider and written health records related to the inmate complaint.

DOC 310.16(9)(c) (c) Protected health information entered into the record shall be limited to the minimum necessary to process the inmate complaint.

DOC 310.16(10) (10) For inmates in restrictive housing, staff may inspect correspondence in the presence of the inmate only to the extent necessary to determine if it contains contraband.

DOC 310.16(11) (11) Inmates will not have access to other inmate’s complaints through the ICRS.

DOC 310.16 History History: CR 16-054: cr., Register March 2018, No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.