| Corrections News On-Line February 2004 |
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| Directors Message |
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When I joined the Department of Corrections last month, I was proud to put my signature on the DOC’s Code of Ethics, joining the ranks of every employee, contractor and volunteer of the department. We all sign it, but what does it mean?
Being ethical is much more than avoiding the technicalities of doing wrong. It has to do with strong character and personal integrity. It isn’t about the minimum levels of acceptable behavior, but about actively seeking out and doing what is right. It is about respecting each other and ourselves.
When any DOC employee, contractor or volunteer engages in unethical conduct, we all pay a price. Even though the overwhelming majority of state employees are above reproach, the misconduct of a few taints the public’s perception of the important work we do. That’s why we have such a strong ethical code, so everyone knows without question that unethical is unacceptable.
Each of us faces ethical challenges. The big ones are usually easy to decide. It is the small choices that often define what kind of people we are. Those choices also include reporting breaches in conduct by others. We have an open-door policy throughout the agency for sharing problems or ethical concerns. If you don’t feel comfortable going through your chain of command to tell something important to the agency, you have my permission and encouragement to contact any member of the department’s Executive Team, including Mitch Morrow and myself.
When we each hold ourselves to the highest of standards, we come to expect that of others. Our own high standards may influence those around us to make the best choices.
Warm regards,
Max Williams
Director
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| ODOC Code of Ethics |
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As an employee, volunteer, or contract service provider of the Oregon Department of Corrections:
I will value and maintain the highest ideals of professional and compassionate public service by respecting the dignity, cultural diversity, and human rights of all persons, and protecting the safety and welfare of the public.
I accept that my fundamental duty is to serve the public; to safeguard lives and property, to protect Department of Corrections incarcerated persons against deception, oppression or intimidation, violence or disorder.
I will be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. To the best of my ability, I will remain calm in the face of danger and maintain self-restraint in the face of scorn or ridicule.
I will be honest and truthful. I will be exemplary in obeying the law, following the regulations of the department, and reporting dishonest or unethical conduct.
I acknowledge that I have been selected for a position of public trust and I will constantly strive to be worthy of that trust and to be true to the mission and values of the Oregon Department of Corrections.
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| DOC Telephones |
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Centralizing Functions Saves Dollars
The entity called the “Oregon Department of Corrections” came about in stages, and so did its telephone systems. It started out as the Oregon State Penitentiary and existed for years under the Board of Control. The Corrections Division of the Department of Human Resources came next. The eventual creation of the DOC as an independent agency by the Legislature meant a patchwork of old and new buildings and old and new phone systems.
As technology advanced, systems expanded to include video conferencing, fax machines and cell phones. Upgrading telephone networks generally happened only as absolutely necessary, leaving the DOC with an array of phone systems and a variety of contracts with service providers. For the most part, these systems and their day-to-day management were the responsibility of individual department sections and institutions.
That changed in 2001 with direction from the Legislature to “… develop a plan for central management of telephone and telecommunications resources and expenditures that identifies and tracks existing and new connections, sets standards for telephone and telecommunications technology, and addresses agency over-expenditures.”
As further incentive, the agency’s 2001-2003 budget for telephone operations was reduced by $400,000 – the amount expected to be saved through new efficiencies.
All responsibility for procuring, setting standards, and managing the telephone infrastructure was assigned to the DOC Information Systems and Services Division (ISSD). Their successful plan began with an audit of the current telephone systems. What they found were misassigned and abandoned phone lines, billing errors, unused services and equipment, and over-trunking (too many phone circuits to meet needs).
Within a year, much of the work developing new procedures was complete. The department met its budget targets for the reduction. In addition, the agency now has an accurate inventory of equipment and services, telephone work orders are centralized, broken and surplus equipment has been removed, and billing is consolidated.
For more information, contact Christina Bernal at (503) 378-3798 x22221 or by e-mail to: christina.m.bernal@doc.state.or.us.
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| The Real "Face of Corrections" |
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By Mike Yoder, OSP Public Information Officer
A recent media article proclaimed one of OSP’s inmates to be the “Face of Corrections.” While the article was an interesting read, I contend the reporter was incorrect in his proclamation. The real “Face of Corrections” is on you and me.
Your neighbors know it; they see you come and go each day in your uniform (some of you at all times of the day and night). Your friends know it, because at social functions the topic always comes up and often the question is asked, “What’s it really like in there?” Inmates, institution visitors, members of the public, elected officials, other public-sector employees, and members of the media know it as well. The truth is, to anybody who knows you work for the Oregon Department of Corrections, you are the “Face of Corrections.”
The result is that every single interaction you have with one of these individuals has an effect on his or her perception of how well we function as an organization. Either they walk away feeling more positive about the DOC, or more negative. Very few exchanges fall in between.
Although I am tasked with being the “public information officer” for Oregon State Penitentiary, the reality is that actions do speak louder than words. Each one of us represents the department and has the ability to positively or negatively impact public perception of our organization. These perceptions translate to tangible assets as we see legislation, budget bills, and citizens’ initiatives that come up for votes.
As we progress through the challenges that no doubt await us in the coming few years, please take a moment to glance in the mirror and check out the true “Face of Corrections” that those around you see.
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| Fast Facts |
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How Much Flour Does it Take to Run a Prison System?
With more than 12,250 inmates in our custody, it takes a lot of careful pricing and purchasing to stay within our per-inmate food budget of $2.36 a day. We serve more than 13 million inmate meals a year. All those meals require purchasing, delivering, and preparing tremendous amounts of raw ingredients. To help keep costs down, The Food Services Administrator does spot buys and bulk purchases. The institutions do a lot of the labor-intensive work, such as baking bread. Here are a few examples of what the DOC goes through:
Monthly Yearly
Flour ........................................................... 200,000 lbs........................................ 2.4 million lbs.
Beef............................................................. 150,000 lbs........................................ 1.8 million lbs.
Chicken....................................................... 68,000 lbs.......................................... 860,000 lbs.
Turkey......................................................... 80,000 lbs.......................................... 960,000 lbs.
Lettuce ....................................................... 22,000 lbs.......................................... 264,000 lbs.
Cold cereal.................................................. 35,000 lbs.......................................... 420,000 lbs.
Hot cereal.................................................... 40,000 lbs.......................................... 480,000 lbs.
Milk ............................................................. 60,000 gallons.................................... 720,000 gallons
Eggs............................................................ 804,000 eggs..................................... 9.6 million eggs
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| HR Information |
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At Your Fingertips
All DOC Human Resources Policies can be found in the shared folders on Outlook, under “Human Resources Division.” The information includes annotations in the “Table of Contents” and the “HR Manual Index,” which cross-references the policies to “The Least You Need to Know” folder.
The “Least You Need to Know” has a summary of many DOC policies and contract information that address day-to-day operations including family leave issues, grievances, the just-cause standard, and more. You also will find the HR staff directory in the folder titled: “Who’s Who in HR.” For more information, contact your Human Resources consultant.
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| Payroll Deduction |
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To Help Oregon's Hungry
The February State Employees Food Drive is a great opportunity to give back to the community and help alleviate the hunger of those who are less fortunate.
In addition to the usual raffles, bake sales, and competitions in your work area, consider contributing monthly through a simple payroll deduction. Although you are giving throughout the year, your total pledge is credited to the 2004 Food Drive.
Payroll deduction also allows each contributor to give directly to his or her community food bank. Simple forms are available from your Food Drive site coordinator and take only moments to fill out.
If each person in the department contributed just $5 a month this year, the total would equal nearly 1.3 million pounds of food for the hungry. Please give what you can to make a difference in the lives of our fellow Oregonians.
For more information, contact DOC Food Drive Coordinator Debbie Pelletier at (503) 945-9837 or by e-mail: debbie.j.pelletier@doc.state.or.us.
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| OYCC Seeks Recruits for Summer |
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The Oregon Youth Conservation Corps is again giving advance notice to the children of inmates about this summer’s work opportunities. The OYCC provides programs to increase educational, training and employment opportunities for youth and to improve their work skills, teamwork and sense of social responsibility.
“Each summer, we hire teams around the state of youth ages 15-18 to work at minimum wage for approximately two months,” Says OYCC Director Ron Adams. “Projects include construction (including trails, bridges, boat docks, fences and picnic tables) and restoration projects (including wetlands, stream banks, endangered species habitat, and historical and cultural sites).”
Fliers will be available starting this month in visiting areas, and articles will be in institution newsletters inviting inmates to encourage their eligible children to apply.
Up to 450 youth will be hired statewide. No skills are necessary, but a willingness to work hard is essential.
“All applicants for OYCC positions will go through the same competitive hiring process,” concludes Mr. Adams. “However, the earlier they apply, the better their chances.”
Youths wising to receive an application packet should contact DOC Project Coordinator Heidi Steward with their names, addresses, phone numbers and ages. Heidi can be reached by phone at (503) 945-9056, by mail to her at 2575 Center Street NE, or by e-mail to heidi.r.steward@doc.state.or.us.
For general information about the OYCC, log on to: www.oycc.state.or.us.
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| More News... |
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- Tax Time W-2 Distribution: You should have received your W-2 form at your worksite by now. If you haven’t, please note the following:
1. Have you have transferred work areas within DOC in the past 45 days? If so, your W-2 may be at your old work location.
2. Were you were hired in December 2003? If so, welcome to the department, but you won’t have a W-2 for the year 2003 (you received your first paycheck January 2004).
3. Did you transfer to the Department of Corrections from another state agency within the past 45 days? Again, welcome! Your W-2 may be at the other agency.
DOC Corrections News
Oregon Department of Corrections
Benjamin de Haan, Ph. D., Interim Director
The mission of the Oregon Department of Corrections is to
promote public safety by holding offenders accountable for their
actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior.
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