Which class of inmates must be maintained within an armed perimeter or direct, armed supervision when outside of a secure perimeter?

The correct answer is close custody. Inmates classified under close custody are considered to be a higher risk to facility security and the safety of others, necessitating their maintenance within an armed perimeter or under direct armed supervision while outside a secure perimeter.

This level of custody is designed to manage and control inmates who pose a significant threat, allowing corrections officials to maintain safety and order effectively. Close custody typically involves more stringent security measures than medium or minimum custody classifications, reflecting the need for greater control over this group of inmates due to their behavior or the nature of their offenses.

In contrast, minimum and medium custody classifications are intended for inmates who are deemed less of a threat to safety and security, allowing for more freedom of movement and, therefore, do not require the same level of armed supervision when outside secure perimeters. Maximum custody, while also indicating a high level of security needs, typically refers to the overall confinement within a secure facility rather than the specifics related to supervision when outside of that confinement. Thus, close custody accurately describes the class of inmates who must always be under strict armed supervision in situations where they are outside the secure perimeter.