Determination is made based on a background check and an interview...
Locate the state, then the city or county where you think they are being held.
When an inmate is being booked into jail, they will do a background check to find out there is a history of gang affiliation, fighting, violence or if there are outstanding warrants. The inmate will be housed according to the information they find and a one on one interview with a member of the jail staff.
Most jails are high security anyhow; it is only after sentencing that they may be placed in a minimum security facility if it applies.
If the offender has been sentenced to prison, the inmate will go through a classification and designation facility where the security level will be determined.
Begin your search for an inmate or arrestee, or locate any jail or prison here: