August 26, 1997 
 
The Oregon Department of Corrections moved four correctional staff from modified duty to unpaid administrative leave on Monday, August 25. The action was taken as a result of the grand jury criminal indictments against the individuals that were unsealed on Thursday, August 21.
 
The four individuals were notified of thedepartment´s decision yesterday by Oregon State Penitentiary Superintendent Frank Thompson.
 
Although we knew the staff were under investigation, it was only when we had the certainty of the indictments behind us that we were satisfied that unpaid administrative leave was in the department´s best interests, explained Dave Cook, director of the Department of Corrections. We have an obligation to afford these individuals their due process rights but we also have a responsibility to the taxpayers and to the health of the workforce.
 
The department intends to continue its timely responses to breaking developments in this situation.
 
There are now a total of five staff on unpaid leave. The first was moved from paid to unpaid leave in early August. Department investigations and subsequent personnel review will follow in all five cases. The time frames of the criminal proceedings do not affect the personnel review.