Policy 00-02-301 - Offender Grievance Process (Indiana DOC)

Indiana DOC Policy and Administrative Procedure 00-02-301, effective 12/01/2025, sets out a four-step grievance process: an informal attempt, a formal grievance, an appeal to the Warden or designee, and an appeal to the Department Offender Grievance Manager. An informal grievance is filed through the offender tablet application within 10 business days, with staff responding in 10 business days; no more than three may be filed in a day. A formal grievance on State Form 45471 must be submitted within 10 business days of the initiating event, the Offender Grievance Specialist must return a date-stamped copy within two business days and accept or return it within 10 business days, and a response is due within 20 business days. Appeals use State Form 45473, filed within five business days at each level, with 20-business-day responses; the Grievance Manager's decision is final. Emergency grievances get a Warden response within one business day, and PREA emergency grievances get an initial response within 48 hours and a final department decision within five calendar days. Grievances alleging sexual abuse have no filing deadline and require no informal step. Classification and disciplinary decisions are not grievable.