How is a low risk prisoner defined?

• A. Any prisoner not designated as high risk
• B. A prisoner with no prior offenses
• C. A prisoner under 18
• D. A prisoner with minor offenses only

Answer: (A)

Low risk prisoners are those not designated as high risk. Risk classification evaluates the likelihood a prisoner will cause problems—violence, rule violations, or an escape attempt—based on multiple factors such as disciplinary history, behavior, mental health, and other dynamic factors. If the assessment places someone outside the high-risk category, they’re considered low risk, which guides decisions about housing, supervision, and program eligibility.

Having no prior offenses or being under 18 do not by themselves define risk, and a person can be low risk despite prior offenses or age, depending on the overall assessment. Similarly, the idea of “minor offenses only” isn’t a definitive measure of risk, since risk combines history with current behavior and other factors.