| Corrections News On-Line July 2003 |
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| Directors' Message |
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If you haven’t already seen it, an announcement went out about the recruitment for the new DOC director, which begins:
“The Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) is conducting an executive search to fill the position of director. This challenging opportunity will require an individual with an extensive background in modern correctional practices and policy, an outstanding track record in management, and a passion for leadership. The successful candidate will also demonstrate innovative guidance in effecting organizational growth and development while managing the department’s continuing expansion.”
In the next few months, Governor Kulongoski will appoint the new director of the department. The governor has already expressed his desire that the new director keep the goals of the Oregon Accountability Model in place as the department moves into the future. So, while there will be a new face in the DOC Director’s Office before the end of the year, know that we are already on the path chosen by the governor and legislative leadership. We will send out updates as things progress.
Next, a couple of other updates: The Transition Automation Project (TAP) officially ended this week, and the automation systems are on-line and working well. Congratulations and thanks to all those who made this project a success, and a special thank you to Don Grossnickle, who led the team. TAP will prove to be an invaluable tool as we continue implementing the Oregon Accountability Model.
In the legislative arena, we are pleased that HB 2647 passed, and we will begin work to create a new alternative incarceration intensive alcohol and drug treatment program at Powder River Correctional Facility. Offering the same incentives of time cuts as the SUMMIT boot camp at Shutter Creek, this program will focus on addiction treatment instead of a military model. Later, we will be able to compare the success rates of the two programs. Watch for more on this as plans develop.
Last, a quick update on the assistant superintendent recruitment; finalist interviews will be held July 9 & 10, and we expect to announce the results by the end of the month.
Warm regards,
Ben de Haan Nick Armenakis
Interim Director Deputy Director
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| DOC Staff Training Update:... |
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Inmate Work Crews
With summer (and the fire season) upon us, the Department of Corrections’ inmate work crews are operating at full throttle. So is the training that supports those crews.
All spring, DOC’s Staff Training Section has been working closely with Inmate Work Crews Manager Debra Slater, institution work crew coordinators, and a variety of other managers and staff from the department and other public agencies. Together, they developed and delivered training programs to prepare crew supervisors for their duties.
Over the last few months, DOC staff conducted:
- Personal safety training for Oregon Department of Forestry staff from Coos Bay and South Fork Forest Camp.
- Personal safety training for the U.S. Department of Forestry personnel at Bend in preparation for the Deschutes Fire Camp.
- Camp commander training for DOC captains and lieutenants from around the state preparing for remote multi-institutional fire camps to open (as the fire season needs arise).
- Work crew supervisor review and an introduction to the “3 Rs” (Role model, Reinforce, and Redirect) for more than 40 Oregon State Hospital work crew supervisors.
- Work crew supervisor training for Oregon Correctional Enterprises staff.
“It’s been an exciting time, working with the inmate work-crew programs,” says Staff Training Administrator Greg Morton. “We’re looking forward to more programs with our public agency partners.”
The department sends approximately 700 minimum-custody inmates out on work crews each day during the summer, providing more than 100,000 labor hours a month on projects including firefighting, fire prevention, park maintenance, and roadside cleanup.
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| DOC Names New Internal... |
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Audits Administrator
Denise Teixeira is the new DOC Internal Audits administrator, succeeding Dennis Laughery, who retired. Denise started with the Department of Corrections in February 2000 as a senior internal auditor. A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, Denise holds a master’s of business administration from the University of Hartford. Her earlier work includes the Oregon Lottery, tax accounting for KPMG Peat Marwick, and serving as a controller for a Portland distribution company
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| On Ice This Summer: DOC's... |
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New Freezer Comes on Line
On June 24, more than 7,000 square feet of new freezer space came on-line at the DOC’s Central Distribution Center (CDC) in Salem. The addition brings total central freezer space to nearly 30,000 square feet.
“The new freezer allows the department to take better advantage of ‘spot buy’ opportunities on frozen food products,” says CDC Manager Barry Moss. “The new unit’s high-density design has the capacity to hold about 24 semi truckloads of product, or roughly $1 million in inventory.” The DOC’s central spot buy purchasing program has reduced the cost of frozen, perishable and shelf-stable foods served to inmates.
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| Inmates Save a Piece of the... |
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Past and Reflect on the Future
(The following is excerpted from an article written by Maret Pajutee, District Ecologist, Sisters Ranger District and the Deschutes National Forest.)
Mountaintops have always been places for reflection and soul searching. Recently, while dismantling the historic Black Butte Lookout tower wreckage to salvage metal hardware and timbers, inmate crews from the Deschutes National Forest/Department of Corrections Work program took time to reflect. As they perched on the 6,400-foot summit of one of Central Oregon’s prominent landmarks they marveled at the beauty of the Cascade mountain vistas and spoke of their lives, their mistakes, and their hopes for the future.
Jeff of Medford was awed by the view and the task: “This is the first time I’ve done something like this. I’ve never seen so many mountains so close together. It’s beautiful. We all make mistakes and we’re paying for it. For committing crime and doing time, here I’m able to contribute back to society for the mistake I made. Most of us are getting trained to be firefighters this summer. We’re excited about that. I’m glad I was able to be a part of a little bit of history. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Troy of Portland is looking forward to his release: “Today’s my 38th birthday, and it’s my last birthday in the DOC. I’ll be out in 25 days…. This is an experience -- one I’ll never forget…. I thank Captain Forbes for allowing me this opportunity. He’s the best corrections officer I’ve known. I’ve got a job in highway construction when I get out, and I can’t wait to get my job back in society.”
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| DOC Payroll News: Paychecks... |
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to Reflect Tax Cuts Starting July 2003
A new federal law reducing income taxes will likely leave more money in your paycheck beginning this month. The middle tax rates have dropped by 2 percentage points and the top rate by 3.6 percentage points.
The US Treasury Department instructed employers to start withholding fewer taxes to reflect the lower tax rates, a broader 10 percent tax bracket, and tax breaks for married couples.
Parents eligible for a new $1,000 child tax credit will get an advance refund this summer. Because the new rates are retroactive to January 1, refunds on the taxes paid at the higher rate during the fist six months of the year will be included in 2003 tax returns.
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| More News... |
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BBQ Contest at OSP to Benefit James Kutten Memorial Fund
Staff at Oregon State Penitentiary are sponsoring a “Barbeque Cook Off “ fundraiser for Sarah Kutten on Friday, July 11. Sarah (19) is the daughter of the late James Kutten, OSCI Diversity Coordinator, who died with his wife and infant daughter in a tragic car accident last month. The event will be from 110:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. behind OSP Residence One.
“We’re asking for folks from all over the DOC to join the contest as well as to come buy $5 sampler plates and be judges,” says event coordinator OSP Cpl. Ken Stepp. “We're looking for staff to donate their best barbeque dish for the event with enough servings for 15-20 people…. This is a great cause, and every penny of the sales will go to the James Kutten Memorial Fund,” concludes Stepp.
For more information contact Cpl. Stepp at the OSP Visiting Desk at (503) 373-1330 or by e-mail to ken.w.stepp@doc.state.or.us.
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| Coming Events: |
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Salem, Sunday, July 6 -- CCCF Lt. Matt Brady will speak at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., as part of “Celebrate America! 2003” at the People's Church in Salem. The events will include patriotic music, multi-media presentations, and a tribute to veterans and those currently enlisted in the armed forces. Honored guests will be the men and women of the 1042nd National Guard Unit, which recently returned from active duty in Iraq after assisting in the rescue of seven American prisoners of war. Brady, a major in the Oregon Army National Guard, commanded this medical evacuation unit; CCCF Cpl. Carl Gabba served in the unit. The People’s Church is located at 4500 Lancaster Dr. NE in Salem. Admission is free.
Salem, Friday, July 11 -- BBQ contest at OSP to benefit the James Kutten Memorial Fund, on lawn behind OSP Residence 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., $5 a plate (see article above for more details).
DOC Corrections News
Oregon Department of Corrections
Ben de Haan, 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.
For more information or to submit story ideas, please call Nancy Sellers in DOC Public Affairs
at (503) 945-9225 or e-mail nancy.sellers@doc.state.or.us
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