STATE OF NEW YORK

TITLE

REVISION NOTICE
(

NO

4040

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Inmate Grievance Program
DATE

REVISES

DIR# 4040 Dtd. 07/12/2006

04/09/2009

REFERENCES (Include but are not limited to)

Correction Law, Section 139
9 NYCRR Part 7695

Added new material double underlined.

D

Section 701.3(e)(2); revise the following paragraph:

(2)
An individual decision or disposition of the temporary release committee, time allowance committee,
family reunion program or media review committee is not grievable. Likewise, an individual decision or
disposition resulting from a disciplinary proceeding, inmate property claim (of any amount), central monitoring
case review or records review (freedom of information request, expunction) is not grievable. In addition an
individual decision or disposition of the Commissioner or his designee. on a foreign national prisoner
application for international transfer is not grievable.

STATE OF NEW YORK

mLE

REVISION NOTICE
REVISES

Inmate Grievance Program

DISTRIBUTION

DIR# 4040 Dtd. 07112/06
REFERENCES (lndude but are not limited to)

NO.

4040

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

AB

DATE

FEB 2 3 too7

APPROVING AUTHORITY

Correction Law, Section 139
9 NYCRR Part 7695, 7NYCRR Part 701

Add new material underlined. Delete material linea eet

D Section 701.6(i)(2), in the middle of Page 10, correct the citation as follows:
The superintendent shall answer any grievance received pursuant to paragraph 1 ahove and any
appeal pending at the superintendent's level. The superintendent shall make a recommendation in
the case of any Departmental grievance (as defined in section 701.5Cc)C3lfil(B)(J)(ii)) and forward it ·
to the IGP supervisor. The superintendent shall make a determination in all other cases.

(

STATEOFNEWYORK

TITLE

NO.

4040

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Inmate Grievance Program

DIRECTIVE
SUPERSEDES

DIR# 4040 Dtd. 07/01/2006

OISTRIBtmON

AB

REFERENCES (Include but are not lirrited to)

Correction Law, Section 139
9 NYCRR Part 7695

§ 701.1 Purpose.
(a) The inmate grievance program (IGP) provides each inmate an orderly, fair, simple and expeditious method for
resolving grievances, pursuant to Section 139 of the Correction Law, and allegations of discriminatory treatment,
pursuant to Part 7695 ofTitle 9, NYCRR.

(b) This program is intended to supplement, not replace, existing formal or informal channels of problem resolution
as set forth in section 701.3(a) ofthis Part. It is not intended to support an adversary process, but to promote mediation
and conflict reduction in the resolution of grievances.
(c) This program enables any inmate who is personally affected by an issue for which there is no avenue for redress
or correction to seek resolution of a complaint through a facility committee of elected peers and appointed staff
members: the inmate grievance resolution committee (IGRC). If not satisfied, an inmate may appeal to the facility
superintendent; if still not satisfied, an inmate may appeal to a committee of Central Office staff acting on behalf of the
Commissioner: the Central Office Review Committee (CORC).
(d) Facilities such as camps, shock incarceration correctional facilities, alcohol and substance abuse treatment
centers, and work release facilities may follow the modified plan set forth in Directive #4041 when approved by the
Director, IGP.

§ 701.2 Dermitions.
(a) Grievance- a complaint, filed with an IGP clerk, about the substance or application of any written or unwritten
policy, regulation, procedure or rule of the Department of Correctional Services or any of its program units, or the lack
of a policy, regulation, procedure or rule. A letter addressed to facility or Central Office staff is not a grievance.

(b)

Departmental grievance - a grievance which affects an inmate during his/her confinement at various facilities

throughout the department.
(c) Institutional grievance - a grievance in which the grievant is only affected as long as he/she remains a resident
of the facility in which the grievance is filed.
(d) Like grievances -those grievances emanating from a substantially similar situation/issue or with a similar action
requested, or complaints which could be resolved with the same action.
(e) Harassment grievances - those grievances that allege employee misconduct meant to annoy, intimidate or harm
an inmate.

(f) Unlal1:fol discrimination grievances- those grievances that allege acts or policies which adversely affect
individuals based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disabling condition(s) or political
belief, except as provided by law.
(g) Strip search or strip frisk grievances- those grievances that allege violations of Departmental policy regarding
strip searches or strip frisks.
(h) Advisor- a person who assists the grievant in filing, preparing or expressing the grievant's complaint. An
advisor is not a substitute grievant. An advisor is not needed to argue a case since the grievance procedure is not
adversarial. An advisor is not needed to appeal a grievance; that is a simple procedure requiring only that the grievant
contact the grievance clerk. An advisor is not a direct party to a grievance. Staff members from the IGRC or from the
facility at large may serve as advisors. Staff members must be willing to accept this function.

NO. 4040. Inmate Grievance Program

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PAGE 2 OF 14

(i) Direct party - an individual so uniquely affected by the grievance that fair play dictates that he/she should be
afforded an opportunity to provide input prior to any decision and also to appeal any disposition rendered. ln
harassment allegations, the employee who allegedly committed the misconduct is a direct party.

§ 701.3 General policies
(a) Inmate's responsibility. An inmate is encouraged to resolve his/her complaints through the guidance and
counseling unit, the program area directly affected, or other existing channels (informal or formal) prior to submitting
a grievance. Although a facility may not impose pre-conditions for submission of a grievance, the failure of an inmate
to attempt to resolve a problem on his/her own may result in the dismissal and closing of a grievance at an IGRC
hearing.

(b) Grievances must be personal. An inmate must be personally affected by the policy or issue he/she is grieving,
or must show that he/she will be personally affected by that policy or issue uuless some relief is granted or changes
made. All grievances must be filed in an individual capacity.
(c) V"tsitor complaints. Visitor complaints shall be processed via the Office of Diversity Management in accordance
with Directive #2611.

(d) Class actions not accepted. lndividuals personally affected by a matter which affects a class of inmates may
only file a grievance on their own behalf. Grievances which are raised in terms of class actions should be referred to
the lnmate Liaison Committee.
(e)

Non-grievable issues.

(1)

An individual decision or disposition of any current or subsequent program or procedure having a written
appeal mechanism which extends review to outside the facility shall be considered non-grievable.

(2)

An individual decision or disposition of the temporary release committee, time allowance committee,
family reunion program or media review committee is not grievable. Likewise, an individual decision or
disposition resulting from a disciplinary proceeding, inmate property claim (of any amount), central monitoring
case review or records review (freedom of information request, expunction) is not grievable.

(3)

The policies, rules, and procedures of any program or procedure, including those above, are grievable.

Note: If an inmate is unsure whether an issue is grievable, he/she should file a grievance and the question will
be decided through the grievance process in accordance with section 701.5, below.

(f) Outside agencies excluded. Any policy, regulation or rule of an outside agency (e.g., the Division of Parole,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Office of Mental Health, etc.) or action taken by an entity not under the
supervision of the Commissioner is not within the jurisdiction of the IGP.

(g) Reasonable accommodations. The IGP supervisor will ensure that disabled inmates are provided the necessary
assistance to facilitate their access to and use of the IGP. Reasonable accommodations shall include, but not be limited
to, meetings with inmates at accessible sites and the provision of qualified sign language interpreters for deaf and hardof-hearing inmates who use sign language to communicate. Copies of all grievance decisions concerning reasonable
accommodations for disabled inmates shall be sent to the ADA coordinator in Central Office.
(h)

Translators. Translators will be used to facilitate access to the IGP for those inmates who do not speak English.

§ 701.4 Inmate grievance resolution committee (IGRC)
(a) Composition. Pursuant to Section 139 of the Correction Law, a facility's IGRC must be a five-member body
consisting of two voting inmates, two voting staff members, and a non-voting chairperson. The non-voting
chairperson may be an inmate, staff member, or a volunteer associated with the facility's program. There shall be at
least two alternate inmate representatives, two alternate staff representatives, and four non-voting chairpersons in each
facility.

NO.

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( 1) From time to time, or prior to the establishment of a new IGRC, the Superintendent shall determine
whether an institution's size warrants additional alternates or non-voting chairpersons.
(2) The IGP supervisor supervises and coordinates the IGP activities of each inmate and staff representative,
clerk and chairperson.

(b)

IGRC inmate representatives and clerks.

(1)

Minimum qualifications.
An inmate must have completed high school or obtained a G.E.D. equivalency certificate to be
eligible to function as an IGRC representative or clerk.
(i)

(ii)
An inmate testing above the eighth grade level is eligible to participate as an IGRC representative
or clerk as long as he or she is enrolled in one unpaid module of school and remains enrolled in school
until a G.E.D. certificate is earned.

(2) Selection ofInmate Representatives. The inmate representatives and alternates shall be elected by their
peers.
The IGP supervisor shall submit a nomination and election procedure for his/her facility to the
Director, IGP, for approval.

(i)

(ii)
The approved nomination and election procedure shall be conspicuously posted five (5) working
days prior to nominations being held.

(3)

Filling vacancies between elections.
Alternate inmate representatives (those placing third or fourth in the most recent election) will be
used to fill vacancies between elections.

(i)

(ii)
When there is a need for additional inmate representatives or alternate representatives to complete a
term until the next regular election, the supervisor bas the option of: exhausting the most recent election
list in numerical sequence for representatives; having the current IGRC agree upon the appointment of a
new representative who meets with the approval of the superintendent; or holding another election.

(4) Inmate representative's tenure. An inmate representative's term shall be six months. Representatives
who are unseated will return to their former job assignments whenever feasible. However, leave of absence
from a former job assignment may not exceed seven months. The inmate representative's position is a full-time
assignment unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Director, IGP.

(c)

Removal ofinmate representatives.
(1) Before an elected inmate representative or an inmate representative who has permanently replaced an
elected representative of the IGRC may be removed from his/her position on the committee or transferred to
another facility, a limited due process hearing must be held. When the inmate is served with the notice of
charges, the notice must indicate that the affirmation of these charges may result in removal from the IGRC.
This hearing may be a disciplinary Tier III hearing or an IGRC impeachment hearing (procedurally the same as
a Tier III hearing; see Part 254 of this Title). The hearing determines whether or not the representative should
be removed from his/her representative position and for how long he/she should be precluded from holding a
representative position. Although other sanctions may result from a disciplinary Tier III hearing, no other
sanctions may result from an IGRC impeachment hearing.
(2) If an elected inmate representative or inmate representative who has permanently replaced an elected
representative of the IGRC requests a transfer out ofhisiher facility or reassignment to another program, the
inmate must sign a resignation vacating the protection afforded the representatives prior to realizing that transfer
or reassignment.

NO. 4040, Inmate Grievance Program

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PAGE 4 OF 14

(3) In order to prevent improper transfers ofiGRC representatives, the following identification procedures
must be followed:
(i)
The IGP supervisor or the superintendent shall notifY the following within 24 hours of an inmate's
election or appointment as an IGRC representative:

(a)

Director of the IGP

(b)

superintendent

(c)

first deputy superintendent

(d)

all deputy superintendents

(e)

inmate records coordinator

(j)

review officer - disciplinary

(ii)
To identifY an inmate as an IGRC representative and alert any reader that this inmate may not be
transferred without a due process hearing, a conspicuous non-permanent marker shall be attached to or
provided for:

(a)

the guidance and counseling unit folder;

(b)

the inmate records coordinator's office folder/card; and

(c)

the disciplinary office.

(iii) When an inmate is no longer a full-time representative, the IGP supervisor or the superintendent is
responsible for notifYing the individuals listed in subparagraph (i), above, and for removing the
identifYing marker from the locations listed in subparagraph (ii), above, within 24 hours.

(iv) If an inmate representative's presence or conduct at a facility creates an emergency and transfer is
inunediately necessary to protect the facility or its personnel, the superintendent shall notifY the
superintendent of the receiving facility of the need to conduct the limited due-process hearing as soon as
practicable, shall provide the superintendent of the receiving facility with all documentation necessary to
hold such a hearing and shall notifY the Director of the IGP, of the transfer. These actions shall be taken
within 24 hours of the inmate representative's transfer.
(d) StaffIGRC representatives. Staff representatives and alternates shall be selected by the superintendent from an
established list of personnel who have successfully completed a training course designed specifically for individuals
who will be serving as IGRC representatives. In order for the IGP to function effectively and in accordance with
specified time limits, the superintendent must ensure that trained staff coverage is made available to the IGP.
(e) Representatives' Job Duties. Both the inmate and staffiGRC representatives are responsible for the job duties
enumerated in the IGP Training Manual under the supervision of the IGP supervisor.

(f) IGRC chairperson selection. Chairpersons for IGRC hearings shall be selected by the IGP supervisor from a list
submitted by the IGRC representatives.
(g)

Grievance clerks.
(1) A grievance clerk and such additional clerks as may be needed shall be selected by the IGP supervisor
after consultation with the superintendent.
(2) At the conclusion of their IGP assignments, clerks will be reinstated to their former job assignments
whenever feasible. Clerks may be reasonably assured of reinstatement for a period of twelve (12) months.
(3)

The clerks shall report to and take direction from the IGP supervisor.

(4) If the supervisor has personal knowledge or reliable information of adverse behavior on the part of a
clerk, he/she shall recommend dismissal setting forth the reasons in writing to the superintendent. The

NO. 4040, Inmate Grievance Program

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superintendent shall forward a recommendation, accompanied by a copy of the supervisor's report, to the
Director of the IGP. The clerk will be suspended pending the Director's decision.

§ 701.5 Procedure.
Note: If an inmate is deaf or hard-of-hearing, any expression of difficulty in communicating or understanding
shall be considered a request for assistance. Reasonable accommodations, (including assignment of a sign
language interpreter, if needed, and a grievance clerk) will be made to ensure the inmate's full access to all steps
in the grievance process.

(a)

Filing the complaint.
(1) Time limit for filing. An inmate must submit a complaint to the clerk within twenty-one (21) calendar
days of an alleged occurrence on an hunate Grievance Complaint Form (Form #2131 ). If this form is not
readily available, a complaint may be submitted on plain paper. The complaint may only be filed at the facility
where the inmate is housed even if it pertains to another facility.
Note: Exceptions to this time limit or any appeal time limits may be approved by the IGP supervisor under
section 701.6(g), below.
(2) Contents. In addition to the grievant's name, department identification number, housing unit, program
assignment, etc., the grievance should contain a concise, specific description of the problem and the action
requested and indicate what actions the grievant has taken to resolve the complaint, i.e., specific persons/areas
contacted and responses received. The IGP supervisor shall review the grievance complaint and designate the
grievance code and title. If the IGP supervisor determines that the grievance may he a harassment,
discrimination or strip frisk/strip search grievance, it shall be processed in accordance with the respective
expedited procedure (section 701.8,.9 or .10, below). The clerk shall consecutively number and log each
grievance at the time of receipt.

')

(3) Like grievances. "Like grievances" may be consolidated at the option of the IGP supervisor or IGRC and
assigned one grievance calendar number. The first complaint received will be given the next sequential
grievance number in the clerk's Jog (Form #2136). The grievants shall select three or four spokespersons from
their number to be grievants of record and to represent them at the hearing and to ensure expeditious processing
of the cases. Any like complaint submitted at this time or during processing may be addressed under the same
grievance calendar number. A Jist of the names of every inmate who submitted a complaint on the issue shall be
included with the grievance materials and submitted with any appeal which may result. Every effort will be
made to notify all of the grievants of the response at each level to which the grievance is appealed either by
written response, posting on inmate bulletin boards or radio announcement. Not every complainant may receive
an individual written response, but the three or four grievants of record will. If none of the grievants of record
appeal to the next level, any inmate who submitted a complaint may continue the appeal. Any inmate on the list
of those submitting the complaint will be given the number of the grievance of record to submit to the court in
order to verify exhaustion of the IGP.

(b)

First Step, IGRC
(I) Informal resolution. The representatives of the IGRC shall have up to sixteen (16) calendar days after a
grievance is filed to resolve it informally. If the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the grievant, the
resolution and the grievant's consent must be entered on the hunate Grievance Complaint Form.

(2)

IGRC hearing.
If there is no resolution, the full connnittee shall conduct a hearing to answer the grievance or make
a recommendation to the superintendent.
(i)

The clerk, together with the staff, shall schedule the hearing to take place within sixteen (16)
calendar days after receipt of the grievance, making certain that the grievant and all direct parties and
witnesses, if any, are afforded an opportunity to appear (except as exempted in section 701.7(d), below).

(ii)

NO.

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(a) Any inmate whose confinement status precludes his/her attendance at an IGRC hearing and
who will be released within thirty (30) calendar days shall be given the option of having the
hearing held in his/her absence or postponed until release from confinement. The grievant's
decision shall be obtained in writing. If the grievant is not scheduled for release from confinement
within thirty (30) calendar days, the hearing shall be held in his/her absence. If any person elects
not to appear, the clerk shall so inform the IGRC.
(b) If a grievant does not appear for the hearing without a legitimate reason (visit, parole
hearing, program committee, sick call, keeplock, etc.), the IGRC will hold a hearing in absentia.
The IGRC has the authority in this circumstance to dismiss and close the grievance by majority
vote (3 of 4), or to make a recommendation on the action requested and forward same to the
grievant.

(c) If a grievant misses three (3) scheduled hearings due to legitimate reasons, the IGRC shall
act on the grievance at the third scheduled hearing.
The full IGRC shall conduct the hearing at the time and place set. The grievant or his/her advisor
and any other direct party to the grievance may present relevant information, comments, or other evidence
in furtherance of their respective positions. The IGRC shall be the judge of the relevance and materiality
of the evidence offered.
(iii)

(3)

Committee decision/recommendation.
After the chairperson closes the hearing, the committee shall deliberate in private session. Its
decision must be communicated to the grievant and any direct party in writing with reasons stated, within
two (2) working days. In its discretion, the IGRC may also communicate its decision to the grievant
orally immediately after its deliberations.

(i)

Matters which neither require superintendent/Central Office action nor involve changes in policy
may be resolved by agreement of the committee, the inmate, and the party directly affected. Committee
decisions which do require superintendent or Central Office action, including, but not limited to, changes
in institutional or Departmental policy or procedure, shall be written in the form of recommendations and
referred to the superintendent. Any matter on which the committee cannot reach a decision by majority
vote shall also be referred to the superintendent for action and response.
(ii)

(4)

Dismissals.
(i)
The IGRC may dismiss and close a grievance after a hearing if it determines, by majority vote (3 of
4), that:

(a)

the grievant has made no effort to resolve the complaint through existing channels;

(b)

the grievant has not been or will not be personally affected by the issue in his/her complaint;

(c) the grievant is seeking a decision or an appeal of a decision otherwise attainable through the
established procedures for:
(1)

temporary release, family reunion and media review programs,

(2)

disciplinary and time allowance committee proceedings,

(3) central monitoring (CMC), inmate claims, or records review (freedom of information
requests, expunction) procedures, or

(4) any other program or procedure having a written appeal mechanism which extends
review to outside the facility (see section 701.3 (e), above);

NO.

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(d) the grievant is seeking action with respect to any policy, regulation, rule or action of an
agency not under the supervision of the Commissioner of Correctional Services (see section
701.3(f), above); or

(e) the grievance is institutional in nature and only affects or no longer affects a grievant who
has been released or paroled (see section 701.6(i), below).
In such cases, the IGRC shall clearly cite the portions of this section and of section 701.3(a), (b),
(ii)
(e) and (f), or section 701.6(i) which provide the basis for dismissal, and shall, where appropriate, refer
the grievant to appropriate existing mechanisms.

(iii) If a grievant believes that a dismissal in his/her case is not authorized by this directive, he/she may
apply directly to the facility IGP supervisor for review within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the
IGRC's decision to dismiss the grievance. If the supervisor determines that the grievance does not fall
into one of the categories cited in this section, then the grievance will be returned to the IGRC for a
hearing and recommendation. The supervisor's written response shall be forwarded to the grievant within
seven (7) calendar days of receipt. An inmate may pursue a complaint that the IGP supervisor failed to
reinstate an improperly dismissed grievance by filing a separate grievance.
(iv) If there is less than a majority vote to determine whether a complaint constitutes a grievable issue,
the IGRC will hear the grievance and provide its recommendations with reasons stated on the specific
requested action(s).

(c)

Second step, appeal to the superintendent.
(1) Filing an appeal. If the grievant or any direct party wishes to appeal to the superintendent, he or she must
complete and sign the appeal section on the IGRC response form (Form #2131) and submit it to the grievance
clerk within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the IGRC's written response. If no appeal is filed upon
denial by the IGRC, it will be presumed that the grievant or direct party accepts the committee's
recommendation. An exception to this appeal time limit may be approved by the IGP supervisor under section
701.6(g) below.
(2) Referral to the superintendent. In all cases where action by the superintendent is required, the grievance
papers and all relevant supplemental data shall be transmitted to the superintendent. Such transmittal shall be
within one ( 1) working day after receipt of an appeal.
(3) Superintendent's action. The superintendent's office shall date stamp all grievances forwarded showing
when they were received. The superintendent or his designee shall determine if the grievance is Departmental in
nature.

Departmental issue. If a matter concerns an altering or revision of a Departmental policy/directive,
(i)
the superintendent shall promptly forward the grievance papers and a recommendation regarding said
policy to the IGP supervisor for forwarding to the CORC which shall render a decision in accordance
with the third step. Such transmittal must be within seven (7) calendar days from the time the appeal was
received. The grievant, the grievance clerk, and the direct party, if any, shall receive notice of said
transmittal. Departmental issues which do not involve creation or revision of a Departmental policy or
directive shall be answered by the superintendent within twenty (20) calendar days from the time the
appeal was received.
Institutional issue. If a matter concerns an institutional issue, the superintendent shall render a
(ii)
decision on the grievance and transmit said decision, with reasons stated, to the grievant, the grievance
clerk, and direct party, if any, within twenty (20) calendar days from the time the appeal was received.
(4) Implementation ofdecisions. The IGP supervisor or the superintendent must verify compliance with
superintendents' responses that require some form of implementation. Documentation of compliance must be
filed with the grievance record. If a decision is not implemented within 45 days, the grievant may appeal to
CORC citing lack of implementation as a mitigating circumstance.

NO. 4040, Inmate Grievance Program

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Third step, appeal to the Central Office Review Committee (CORC).

(1)

Appeal.
If the grievant or any direct party wishes to appeal to the CORC, he or she must complete and sign
Form #2133 and submit it to the grievance clerk within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the
superintendent's written response to the grievance. The superintendent's response form contains simple
directions for appeal to the CORC. An exception to this appeal time limit may be approved by the IGP
supervisor under section 701.6(g), below.
(i)

The grievance clerk shall transmit the signed appeal and the accompanying grievance papers to the
IGP supervisor within one ( 1) working day after receipt of the signed appeal statement. The supervisor
must forward appeals within seven (7) calendar days to the CORC.

(ii)

(2)

The CORC.
(i)
The CORC shall consist of the Deputy Commissioner and counsel, Deputy Commissioner for
correctional facilities, Deputy Commissioner for program services, Deputy Commissioner for
administrative services, and the Deputy Commissioner and chief medical officer, or their designees
expressly authorized to act for them. A representative of the office of diversity management will attend
CORC hearings and have input on grievances alleging discrimination, but will not vote.
(ii)
The CORC functions on behalf of the Commissioner and under his authority. CORC decisions
have the effect of directives. Decisions requiring remedial action must be implemented by the facility
and/or Departmental office to which they apply.

The Director, IGP, is not a voting member of the CORC. The Director will, however, he
responsible for the administrative function of the IGP. The Director, IGP, as the Commissioner's
designee, shall ensure implementation of CORC decisions.

(iii)

(3)

CORC action.
(i)
The IGP Central Office staff shall date stamp all appeals showing when they were received and
shall notify facility grievance staffs in writing as grievances are received. The facility IGP staff shall
forward a copy of the written notice of receipt to the grievant of record. If a grievant does not receive a
copy of the written notice of receipt within 45 days of filing an appeal, the grievant should contact the
IGP supervisor in writing to confirm that the appeal was filed and transmitted to CORC.

(ii)
The CORC shall review each appeal, render a decision on the grievance, and transmit its decision
to the facility, with reasons stated, for the grievant, the grievance clerk, the superintendent, and any direct
parties within thirty (30) calendar days from the time the appeal was received.

(4)

Implementation ofdecisions. The Director, IGP, must obtain verification of compliance with CORC
dispositions. Documentation of compliance must be filed in the Central Office and facility grievance records.

§ 701.6 Procedural Safeguards.
(a) Advisors. An inmate may present or appeal a grievance unaided, or may be advised or assisted by a staff
member or another inmate of his/her choosing subject to the restrictions set forth in sections 701.2(h), above, and
701.7(c )(3), below. At the discretion of the superintendent, imnate advisors for keeplocked inmates may be limited to
inmate clerks or inmate representatives on the IGRC and keep locked inmates may be prohibited from serving as
advisors to other inmates.

(b) Reprisals prohibited. No reprisals of any kind shall be taken against an imnate or employee for good faith
utilization of this grievance procedure. An inmate may pursue a complaint that a reprisal occurred through the
grievance mechanism. A grievant shall not receive a misbehavior report based solely upon an allegedly false statement
made by the imnate to the grievance committee.

J

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(c) Objection to IGRC representative -No inmate will take part in the resolution of a grievance over a grievant's
objection. If a grievant objects to both inmate representatives and both alternate inmate representatives, then the two
staff representatives shall hold the hearing. An inmate representative may not function as a voting representative at a
hearing on his/her grievance. An alternate inmate representative must be utilized. A staff representative may not
function as a voting representative at a hearing on a grievance in which that staff person is a direct party. An alternate
staff representative must be utilized.

(d)

IGRC access/movement within the institution.
(I) A pass system (institutional or point to point) which permits inmate representatives, and grievance clerks
to perform their IGP duties shall be developed in accordance with specifications established by the
superintendent. Security restrictions will preclude inmates from entering certain areas of the facility.
(2) At any facility where a pass system is not feasible, the superintendent must develop a procedure to ensure
that the IGRC can obtain necessary information, keep within established time frames and maintain
confidentiality. This procedure must be in writing and approved by the Director, IGP.
(3) Upon written recommendation of the IGP supervisor and with the approval of the Director, IGP, the
superintendent may restrict or remove a specific inmate's IGRC pass privileges.

(e)

IGRC interviews ofemployees.
(I) Formal interviews with staff members, if necessary to an IGRC investigation, should be conducted jointly
by an inmate and a staff representative whenever feasible. Employees should be questioned in a diplomatic and
non-adversarial manner.
(2) If inmate representatives cannot accompany staff representatives on an investigation because of security
restrictions, and if interviews cannot be conducted in the grievance office or through less formal means (e.g., by
telephone), the inmate representatives shall provide the staff representatives with the questions they would like
answered. The staff representatives shall make every effort to obtain answers for the inmate representatives.

(f)

Code ofethics.
(1) A code of ethics (see section 701.11) for IGRC staff and inmate representatives, clerks, and chairpersons
has been established to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the IGP. Violations of this code may
result in removal from the IGP.
(2) Inmate representatives may be removed from the committee only in accordance with procedures set forth
in section 70 1.4(c), above.
(3) The IGP supervisor is responsible for insuring that the full-time and alternate IGRC representatives have
read, understand and received a copy of the code of ethics.

(g)

Time limit exceptions and extensions.
(1)

Time liwit for filing a grievance or appeal:
An inmate may request an exception to the time limit for filing a grievance, or for filing an appeal
to the superintendent or to CORC. Such a request shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the
grievance clerk with the grievance or appeal the inmate wishes to file.

(i)

(a) The IGP supervisor may grant an exception to the time limit for filing a grievance based on
mitigating circumstances (e.g., timely attempts to resolve a complaint informally by the inmate,
etc.). An exception to the time limit may not be granted more than 45 days after an alleged
occurrence.

(b) The IGP supervisor may grant an exception to the time limit for filing an appeal of an IGRC
or superintendent's decision based on mitigating circumstances (e.g., failure to implement action
required by the IGRC or superintendent's decision within 45 days, etc.). An exception to the time

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limit may not be granted more than 45 days after the date of the decision unless the late appeal
asserts a failure to implement the decision.
( ii)
An inmate may pursue a complaint that an exception to the time limit was denied by filing a
separate grievance.

(2) Time limit for IGP action. Time limit extensions may be requested at any level of review (e.g., time
limits for holding an IGRC hearing, answering a grievance or an appeal, etc.), but such extensions may be
granted only with the written consent of the grievant. Absent such extension, matters not decided within the
time limits may be appealed to the next step.

(h)

Processing grievances and appeals qfter transfer.

(1) Any response to a grievance filed by an imnate who has been transferred shall be mailed directly to that
inmate, via privileged correspondence, at his/her new facility or location.
(2) An imnate transferred to another facility may continue an appeal of any grievance. If the grievant wishes
to appeal, he or she must mail the signed appeal form back to the IGP supervisor at the facility where the
grievance was originally filed within seven (7) calendar days after receipt. The IGP supervisor will refer it to
the facility grievance clerk for processing.

(i) Processing grievances pending at release or parole. A grievance pending at the time an imnate has been
released or paroled shall be processed as follows:
( 1) If the IGRC majority determines that the grievance affects other members of the facility population and
encompasses an issue that has not been reviewed by CORC within a year, the IGRC shall provide a
recommendation and forward the case to the superintendent for a determination. If the grievance affects only
the grievant and encompasses an issue that has been reviewed by CORC within a year, it is subject to dismissal
under section 701.5(b)(4), above.

( ~1

The superintendent shall answer any grievance received pursuant to paragraph I above and any
appeal pending at the superintendent's level. The superintendent shall make a recommendation in
the <;"ase of any Departmental grievance (as defined in section 701.5Cc)(3)(ilE!J)(J)(ii)) and forward it
to the IGP supervisor. The superintendent shall make a determination in all other cases.
(3) Upon receipt of the superintendent's response, the IGP supervisor shall forward all case materials to the
CORC for a final disposition.

G) Procedures for transient inmates. Each correctional facility housing a reception/ classification/transit inmate
population must develop and implement a written procedure insuring all imnates access to the IGP. This procedure
must be approved by the Director, IGP.
(k)

File maintenance/confidentiality.

(1) Grievance files will be maintained in a specific area for use by the IGRC and the grievance clerk. No
copies of grievance documents may go into the grievant's central file or fucility file without the grievant's direct
written consent. Likewise, no copies of grievance documents may go into an employee's file without the direct
written consent of the employee. No grievance documents shall be disseminated to persons other than the
grievant, a direct party, or an individual involved in the review process without the approval of the IGP
supervisor. Any requests for grievance documents by the grievant or any direct party may be addressed through
the freedom of information law (FOIL) as outlined in Directive #2010.
(2) The superintendent is responsible to ensure the confidentiality and maintenance of grievance records.
Complete grievance records must include the original grievance, responses from each level of review, the
investigation, referenced documentation and verification of implementation, when appropriate.
(3)

Grievance files shall be preserved for the current calendar year plus the previous four calendar years.

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(1) IGRC reference materials. The IGRC at each facility is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date set of code "A
B" Departmental directives and a set of the IGP monthly index of written opinions. A copy of the IGP monthly index
of written opinions must also be maintained in the facility law library.
(m) Emergencies. The IGP supervisor shall refer any grievance of an emergency nature directly to the appropriate
response level (superintendent or CORC) having authority to issue an immediate or expeditious and meaningful
response. An emergency shall include, but is not limited to, a situation, action, or condition in which an imnate's or an
employee's health, safety, or welfare is in serious threat or danger. The supervisor will determine if a grievance falls
within this category.

§ 701.7 Procedures for inmates in special housing units (SHU's). The IGP supervisor shall monitor and ensure
the proper functioning of the grievance procedure in SHU's. The following minimal standards shall be instill!ted to
provide SHU imnates with access to the IGP:

(a)

Forms and envelopes.
(1) A supply ofimnate grievance complaint forms (Form #2131) will be maintained in all special housing
areas and will be given to inmates requesting them. The area supervisor is responsible for ensuring that a supply
of these forms is available at all times. Additional forms, when needed, will be obtained from the IGP
supervisor's office.
(2) Envelopes will be given to imnates for use in forwarding their completed grievance forms to the IGP
office. The sealed envelopes will assure the confidentiality of the imnate's complaint while enroute to the IGP
office.
(3) Area supervisors will ensure that the completed grievance forms are placed in sealed envelopes, collected
and forwarded to the IGP office.

(b) IGP deposit boxes. Where available, SHU inmates shall use centrally located IGP deposit boxes to send
grievance forms and IGP correspondence to the IGP office. These boxes shall be kept locked at all times. 1;he IGP .
supervisor and staff representatives (IGRC sergeant/officer) will have the only keys to these boxes and will collect
their contents at least two (2) times per week. Broken boxes or locks will be reported to the IGP supervisor
immediately, and he or she will arrange for their repair or replacement. In the interim, grievance forms shall be
submitted as stated in paragraph (3) above.

(c)

Rounds, access to IGP members and advisors.
( 1) An IGRC staff member (sergeant, officer) or grievance supervisor shall make rounds of all special
housing areas at a reasonable time at least once a week to allow inmates direct access to the program. These
rounds will give imnates who are having communication problems or difficulty writing their complaints an
opportunity to request and receive assistance. Staff noting problems or requests for assistance shall report them
to the IGP supervisor. The IGP supervisor will work with the deputy superintendent(s) of programs and/or
security to obtain necessary assistance.
{2) The superintendent, at his/her discretion, may grant direct access to the full IGRC, or to either an imnate
member or a staff member of the IGP office for those inmates in certain special housing areas such as reception
or transient units.
(3) Since there is a security interest in restricting confined inmates access to other imnates, the superintendent
may prohibit any inmate in SHU from using another inmate as an advisor or from serving as an advisor to
another imnate. Staff members from the IGRC or from the facility at large can serve this function. A staff
member must be willing to accept this function.

(d) Attendance at hearings. A grievant confined to SHU who will be released within thirty (30) calendar days shall
be given the option of having the hearing held in his/her absence or postponed until release from confinement. The
grievant's decision shall be obtained in writing. If a grievant is not scheduled for release from confinement within
thirty (30) calendar days, the hearing shall be held in his/her absence.

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(e) Time limits. The time limits for processing of grievances as delineated in section 70 1.6(g), above, also apply to
grievances submitted from special housing units.

§ 701.8 Harassment. Allegations of employee harassment are of particular concern to the administrators of
department facilities. Therefore, the following expedited procedure for the review of grievances alleging harassment
shall be followed.
(a) An irnnate who wishes to file a grievance complaint that alleges employee harassment shall follow the
procedures set forth in section 701.5(a), above.
Note: An irnnate who feels that he/she has been the victim of harassment should report such occurrences to the
immediate supervisor of that employee. However, this is not a prerequisite for filing a grievance with the IGP.

(b) A grievance alleging harassment shall be given a grievance calendar number and recorded in sequence with all
other grievances on the grievance clerk's log (Form #2136). All documents submitted with the allegation must be
forwarded to the superintendent by close of business that day.
(c) The superintendent or his/her designee shall promptly determine whether the grievance, if true, would represent
a bona fide case of harassment as defined in section 701.2, above. If not, then it shall be returned to the IGRC for
normal processing.
(d)

If it is determined that the grievance is a bona fide harassment issue, the superintendent shall:
( 1) initiate an in-house investigation by higher ranking supervisory personnel into the allegations contained in
the grievance;
(2)

request an investigation by the inspector general's office; or

(3) if the superintendent determines that criminal activity may be involved, request an investigation by the
New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
(e) Once a grievance has been referred to the superintendent and determined to be an allegation of harassment, that
grievance cannot be withdrawn. The superintendent must address the grievant's allegations.

(f) Within twenty-five (25) calendar days of receipt of the grievance, the superintendent will render a decision on
the grievance and transmit said decision, with reasons stated to the grievant, the grievance clerk, and any direct party
of interest. Time limit extensions may be requested, but such extensions may be granted only with the consent of the
grievant.
(g) If the superintendent fails to respond within the required twenty-five (25) calendar day time limit the grievant
may appeal his/her grievance to CORC. This is done by filing a Notice of Decision to Appeal (Form #2133) with the
inmate grievance clerk.

(h) If the grievant wishes to appeal the superintendent's response to CORC, he/she must file a Notice of Decision to
Appeal (Form #2133) with the irnnate grievance clerk within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of that response.
(i) Unless otherwise stipulated in this section, all procedures, rights, and duties pertaining to the processing of any
other grievance as set forth in section 701.5 above shall be followed.

§ 701.9 Allegations of Unlawful Discrimination. Allegations of acts or policies which adversely affect individuals
based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disabling condition(s) or political belief, except as
provided by law, are of particular concern to the administrators of this department and its facilities. Therefore, the
following expedited procedure for the review of grievances alleging unlawful discrimination shall be followed:
(a) An inmate who wishes to file a grievance complaint that alleges discrimination by an employee, program, policy
or procedure shall follow the procedures set forth in section 701.5(a), above.
Note: An inmate who feels he/she is being unlawfully discriminated against by an employee, program, policy or
procedure shall report such incident to the immediate supervisor of the employee or supervisor/administrator of
such program. However, this is not a prerequisite for filing a grievance with the IGP.

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(b)

A grievance alleging unlawful discriminatory acts, policies or procedures shall be given a grievance calendar
number and recorded in sequence with all other grievances on the grievance clerk's log (Form #2136).
(c) A grievance alleging unlawful discrimination, and its related documentation, shall be forwarded to the
superintendent with a copy to the Office of Diversity Management, within twenty-four (24) hours.
(d) The superintendent shall initiate an in-house investigation by higher ranking supervisory personnel and/or
request the Office of Diversity Management to conduct an investigation.
(e) Within twenty-five (25) calendar days of receipt of the grievance, the superintendent will render a decision on
the grievance and transmit said decision, with reasons stated, to the grievant, the grievance clerk, the Office of
Diversity Management, and any direct party of interest.

(f) If the superintendent fails to respond within the required twenty-five (25) calendar day time limit the grievant
may appeal the grievance to CORC. This is done by filing a Notice of Decision to Appeal (Form #2133) with the
inmate grievance clerk.
(g) If the grievant wishes to appeal the superintendent's response to CORC, he/she must file a Notice of Decision to
Appeal (Form #2133) with the imnate grievance clerk within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of that response.

(h) The Director, Office of Diversity Management, or his/her designee shall be present whenever CORC reviews
grievance appeals regarding alleged unlawful discrimination.

(i) Unless otherwise stipulated in this section, all procedures, rights, and duties pertaining to the processing of any
other grievance as set forth in section 701.5 above shall be followed.
P

§ 701.10 Strip Searcb/Strip Frisk. The following expedited procedure for the review of grievances alleging
violation of department policy regarding strip searches or strip frisks shall be followed.
(a) An inmate who wishes to file a grievance complaint that alleges violation of department policy regarding a strip
search or strip frisk shall follow the procedures set forth in section 701.5(a), above.

(b) A grievance alleging violation of department policy regarding strip searches or strip frisks shall be given a
grievance calendar number and recorded in sequence with all other grievances on the grievance clerk's log (Form
#2136). All documents submitted with the allegation must be forwarded to the superintendent by close of business that
day.
(c) The superintendent or his/her designee shall promptly detennine whether the grievance, if true, would represent
a bona fide violation of department policy regarding strip searches or strip frisks as defined in section 701.2(g), above.
If not, then it shall be returned to the IGRC for normal processing.
(d) If it is determined that the grievance is a bona fide strip search/strip frisk issue, the superintendent shall initiate
an in-house investigation by the correction captain or functional equivalent into the allegations contained in the
grievance. This responsibility cannot be delegated. Where a deputy superintendent has authorized the grieved strip
search or strip frisk, the superintendent will supervise the investigation with the assistance of the captain.
(e) Once a grievance has been referred to the superintendent and determined to be a bona fide strip search/strip frisk
issue, that grievance cannot be withdrawn. The superintendent must address the grievant's allegations.

(f) Within twenty-five (25) calendar days of receipt of the grievance, the superintendent will render a decision on
the grievance and transmit said decision, with reasons stated to the grievant, the grievance clerk, and any direct party
of interest. Time limit extensions may be requested, but such extensions may be granted only with the consent of the
grievant.
(g) If the superintendent fails to respond within the required twenty-five (25) calendar day time limit the grievant
may appeal his/her grievance to CORC. This is done by filing a Notice of Decision to Appeal (Form #2133) with the
inmate grievance clerk.

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(h) If the grievant wishes to appeal the superintendent's response to CORC, he/she must file a Notice of Decision to
Appeal (Form #213 3) with the imnate grievance clerk within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of that response.
(i) Unless otherwise stipulated in this section, all procedures, rights, and duties pertaining to the processing of any
other grievance as set forth in section 701.5 above shall be followed.

§ 701.11 Code of etbics. A Code of ethics for IGRC staff and inmate representatives, clerks, and chairpersons has
been established to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the IGP. Violations of this code may result in
dismissal from participation in the IGP.
(a) No member shall obstruct an inmate from exercising his/her right to file a grievance nor ridicule an inmate or
his/her grievance.

(b)

A willing and tactful attitude is required in the performance of a member's duties.

(c)

No member shall expect or receive preferential treatment because of his/her participation in the IGP.

(d)

Particular duties, responsibilities, and assignments shall not be abused by any member.

(e) Members shall not disclose confidential medical information as defined in the DOCS Health Services Policy
Manual, Item 4.10, or non-medical information of a confidential nature except where necessary in fulfilling their duties
under the grievance mechanism.

(f)

Members shall be responsible for safekeeping grievance files and ensuring against unauthorized use.

(g)

No member ofiGRC shall intentionally undermine the IGRC's operation or credibility.

(h)

Members of the IGRC shall have a working knowledge of the IGP and their responsibilities as members.

(i)

Members shall obey all institutional and Departmental rules and regulations.