Chapter DOC 379

DOC 379.11(1) (1) Religious beliefs and practice.

DOC 379.11(1)(a) (a) The department may not discriminate against a youth on the basis of the youth’s religious beliefs. The superintendent may modify a youth’s religious practices based on health and safety considerations, the security and order of the institution, the rehabilitation goals of the youth and fiscal and operational limitations.

DOC 379.11(1)(b) (b) The department may not require a youth to participate in religious activities but may maintain information concerning a youth’s religious activities for administrative purposes.

DOC 379.11(1)(c) (c) To the extent reasonable, institutions shall make facilities and other resources available to youth for religious practices permitted under sub. (2).

DOC 379.11(2) (2) Youth participating in religious practices.

DOC 379.11(2)(a) (a) A youth who wants to participate in religious practices or request a change in religious programming, diet, special foods or authorized property that involves others or that affects the youth’s appearance or institution routines shall submit a written request to the superintendent for permission to participate in the religious practice. The request shall include a statement that the youth professes or adheres to a particular religion and shall specify the practices and tenets of the religion in which the youth requests permission to participate.

DOC 379.11(2)(b) (b) Upon receipt of the request the superintendent shall, with the assistance of a chaplain or staff with appropriate religious training, determine if the request is supported by tenets of the religion.

DOC 379.11(2)(c) (c) In determining whether the request is supported by tenets of the religion the superintendent may consider any of the following:

DOC 379.11(2)(c)1. 1. Whether there is literature stating religious principles that support the belief.

DOC 379.11(2)(c)2. 2. Whether the beliefs are recognized by a group of persons who share common ethical, moral or intellectual views.

DOC 379.11(2)(d) (d) The superintendent shall deny the request if the tenets of the religion or a reasonable variation of those tenets do not support the request.

DOC 379.11(2)(e) (e) If the superintendent determines that the request is supported by tenets of the religion, the superintendent shall grant permission to participate in practices that are consistent with orderly confinement, security of the institution and fiscal, staff and space limitations.

DOC 379.11(2)(f) (f) The superintendent shall establish written guidelines consistent with this section and institution security needs to govern youth participation in religious practices. The guidelines shall be made available to all youth.

DOC 379.11(2)(g) (g) The superintendent shall require a youth to identify a religious preference, if any, to participate in religious activities. A youth may change this religious preference once every six months.

DOC 379.11(3) (3) Religious services and prayers.

DOC 379.11(3)(a) (a) Each superintendent shall, upon the recommendation of a chaplain or staff with appropriate religious training, coordinate religious programming to the extent possible at the times prescribed or encouraged by the youth’s religion.

DOC 379.11(3)(b) (b) The superintendent may, upon the recommendation of a chaplain or staff with appropriate religious training, permit representatives of approved religious groups from outside the institution to visit youth, hold services and provide counseling and services commonly provided by chaplains.

DOC 379.11(4) (4) Religious property. A superintendent may permit youth to possess approved religious property required by the youth’s religion in accordance with sub. (2).

DOC 379.11(5) (5) Dietary laws.

DOC 379.11(5)(a) (a) To the extent possible, the institution shall plan meals so that youth may maintain a nutritious diet while complying with dietary restrictions prescribed by the youth’s approved religion.

DOC 379.11(5)(b) (b) An institution may accommodate youth requests for special foods for religious observances.

DOC 379.11 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.12 DOC 379.12 Leisure time activities. Each institution shall provide the youth in the general population with structured and approved leisure time activity, including outdoor recreation, on a regular basis consistent with security, available resources and the priorities of school attendance, scheduled programs and work. Outdoor leisure time activities shall be provided when weather conditions do not pose a risk to health and safety.

DOC 379.12 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.13 DOC 379.13 Education programs.

DOC 379.13(1) (1) Institutions shall make the following educational programs and services available to youth:

DOC 379.13(1)(a) (a) Elementary education, as appropriate.

DOC 379.13(1)(b) (b) Junior high school/middle school classes.

DOC 379.13(1)(c) (c) Special education for students with exceptional educational needs.

DOC 379.13(1)(d) (d) High school credit-generating classes.

DOC 379.13(1)(e) (e) High school equivalency programs.

DOC 379.13(1)(f) (f) Training in independent living skills.

DOC 379.13(1)(g) (g) Pre-vocational and vocational/technical education including work experience.

DOC 379.13(1)(h) (h) Reintegration services at the time the youth is released from the institution, including transfer of records and consultation with education staff at the school the youth will attend in the community.

DOC 379.13(2) (2) Teachers and staff shall meet state licensing or training requirements from the department of public instruction or the technical college system board. Teachers are required to obtain and maintain their required license or certification.

DOC 379.13(3) (3) A youth under the age of 18 years who has not earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma will participate in an education program as required by law.

DOC 379.13(4) (4) A youth 18 years or older who has not earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma may participate in educational or vocational programming, but is not legally required to participate.

DOC 379.13 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.14 DOC 379.14 Social services. Each institution shall provide social services for youth. The superintendent shall insure sufficient licensed social worker time to deliver the services necessary to meet the identified goals and objectives in each youth’s individual case plan consistent with s. DOC 371.10 (4).

DOC 379.14 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.15 DOC 379.15 Health services.

DOC 379.15(1) (1) Youth shall have access to health care services.

DOC 379.15(2) (2) Ordinary medical and dental care shall be provided to youth consistent with s. 938.505 (1), Stats.

DOC 379.15(3) (3) Qualified health care providers shall provide health care based on professionally recognized standards in accordance with state and federal requirements.

DOC 379.15 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.16 DOC 379.16 Food and liquids.

DOC 379.16(1) (1) The department shall provide nutritious food for all youth. Meals shall satisfy standards of nutrition which meet or exceed the recommended dietary allowances of the food and nutrition board of the national academy of sciences of the national research council and the department of public instruction.

DOC 379.16(2) (2) Each institution shall have specific written policies and procedures that regulate eating outside the designated dining area. Institutions may forbid taking foods into living quarters and out of the designated dining area.

DOC 379.16(3) (3) The menu for each institution shall be posted weekly in advance of the meals for that week.

DOC 379.16(4) (4) If medical staff prescribe a special diet for health reasons, a youth shall be provided the diet, consistent with the department diet manual, related policies and procedures and available resources.

DOC 379.16(5) (5) A youth shall be provided sufficient liquids to sustain basic nutrition and health needs.

DOC 379.16 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.17 DOC 379.17 Clothing.

DOC 379.17(1) (1) Each institution shall provide youth with adequate clothing. All of the following apply to repair or replacement of clothing by an institution.

DOC 379.17(1)(a) (a) The institution shall replace or repair clothing damaged by normal wear.

DOC 379.17(1)(b) (b) The institution may require a youth to pay the institution for the cost of replacing or repairing clothing that was willfully lost, destroyed or damaged by the youth.

DOC 379.17(2) (2) Each institution shall create policies and procedures relating to clothing.

DOC 379.17(3) (3) Youth shall dress in a clean, neat and appropriate manner as prescribed by institution policy.

DOC 379.17 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.18 DOC 379.18 Personal hygiene.

DOC 379.18(1) (1) Each institution shall create minimum personal hygiene standards for its youth. Personal cleanliness shall be the responsibility of each youth.

DOC 379.18(2) (2) Institutions shall provide a minimum of 3 showering periods every 7 days for each youth in the general population. When possible, an institution shall permit youth to shower daily. Institutions shall provide clean undergarments, shirts and stockings at least 3 times every 7 days. Youth whose work or other activity makes it desirable shall be allowed more frequent bathing and changes of clothing.

DOC 379.18(3) (3) All of the following apply to grooming:

DOC 379.18(3)(a) (a) Each institution shall make policies and procedures governing personal hygiene, hair and use of cosmetics.

DOC 379.18(3)(b) (b) A youth’s hair shall not cover his or her eyes, disguise identity or conceal contraband.

DOC 379.18(3)(c) (c) Youth assigned to food preparation and serving areas shall be required to wear hairnets or other suitable hair covering.

DOC 379.18(3)(d) (d) Youth performing work assignments that may reasonably be considered to be hazardous shall be required to maintain suitably cropped hair or wear protective headgear for safety purposes.

DOC 379.18(4) (4) New identification photographs may be required of any youth whose appearance changes or is altered significantly during confinement as a result of change in hair style, hair length, facial hair growth or removal, maturation or other changes.

DOC 379.18 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.19 DOC 379.19 Living quarters.

DOC 379.19(1) (1) An institution may not exceed the original design capacity of a room and the institution when assigning youth to rooms, except in an institution housing emergency under sub. (2), or to meet youth program needs. The original design capacity of a room and an institution is the occupancy, number of youth, for which a room and the institution was originally designed.

DOC 379.19(2) (2) If the secretary declares an institution housing emergency, the number of youth assigned to living quarters may exceed original design capacity. Conditions for youth assigned to a room in excess of the original design capacity shall be as humane as reasonably possible, consistent with available resources.

DOC 379.19(3) (3) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race or religion in the assignment of youth to living quarters.

DOC 379.19(4) (4) The superintendent may consider the following factors before assigning a youth to a room:

DOC 379.19(4)(a) (a) The youth’s medical, psychological and psychiatric condition.

DOC 379.19(4)(b) (b) The youth’s record of assault or aggressive behavior.

DOC 379.19(4)(c) (c) The youth’s overall institutional adjustment.

DOC 379.19(4)(d) (d) The youth’s history of sexual behavior.

DOC 379.19(4)(e) (e) The youth’s length of sentence.

DOC 379.19(4)(f) (f) The youth’s program assignment.

DOC 379.19(4)(g) (g) The total institution population.

DOC 379.19(5) (5) Youth shall keep assigned living quarters clean, neat and orderly as directed by staff. Appropriate cleaning materials shall be made available for this purpose.

DOC 379.19(5)(a) (a) The institution shall provide youth with clean bed sheets, pillowcases and towels at least once every 7 days. The institution shall provide each youth with a standard issue of blankets and similar items necessary for physical comfort. Youth shall be responsible for their proper care.

DOC 379.19(5)(b) (b) The superintendent may establish appropriate policies and procedures to insure proper maintenance of living quarters.

DOC 379.19 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 379.20 DOC 379.20 Youth funds and accounts.

DOC 379.20(1) (1) General Policy. The institution shall manage youth funds and permit or forbid spending to achieve the following objectives:

DOC 379.20(1)(a) (a) To promote the successful reintegration of youth into society through a policy designed to provide youth with funds available upon release that they can manage responsibly.

DOC 379.20(1)(b) (b) To prevent the exchange of contraband and victimization within institutions by prohibiting youth from carrying money and by requiring all youth funds to be deposited in accounts for the youth.