| Corrections News On-Line March 2002 |
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| From Dave Cook & Ben de Haan |
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More Than the Code of Ethics
We in government and in the public safety arena are held to high standards of professional conduct. Every employee, contractor and volunteer of the Oregon Department of Corrections has signed the DOC Code of Ethics, but what does that mean?
Ethics is much more than asking yourself, "If I do this and it gets printed on the front page of the newspaper, would I be proud or ashamed?" Ethics comes from the Greek word, "ethos," meaning "character." Most "codes of ethics" set goals and minimum levels of acceptable behavior. In other words, they set a floor, but not a ceiling.
The department’s Code of Ethics, however, begins with: "I will value and maintain the highest ideals of professional and compassionate public service…" In other words, rather than seeing ethics as a measure of what you didn’t do wrong, we ask you to look at ethics as a measure of what you did
do right.
Each of us is faced with ethical challenges, from the small to the huge. The big ones are usually easy to decide. It is the small choices that often define what kind of people we are. 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 re-examine their own ethical choices.
As happened recently, when a DOC staff member is charged with conduct that is unethical or illegal, we all are harmed. As public servants, we are painted with the same brush, even though the overwhelming majority of state employees are above reproach.
Another enormous effect of unethical behavior by any DOC employee, contractor or volunteer is the loss of credibility we suffer with the inmates in our institutions. We are charged with reducing criminal behavior and preparing inmates to successfully transition back to our communities after release. We must be exemplary role models for that to happen.
For these reasons, we all must take even small breaches in ethical conduct seriously. Temptation is inevitable. Giving in to temptation is not. That is why we have our Code of Ethics, so all employees, contractors, and volunteers know from day one that unethical is unacceptable.
Thank you for all you do, and for making the Oregon Department of Corrections an agency of the highest standards and of which we all can be proud.
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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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| Statewide Victim Info System |
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Statewide Victim Information & Notification System
Victims of crime and other concerned citizens may now call 1-877-OR-VINE (1-877-674-8463) to access a database of information on more than 41,000 offenders in Oregon.
VINE stands for "Victim Information Notification Everyday." It’s a free, anonymous computer system that uses state-of-the-art technology and a central call center to connect people with vital offender information through a toll-free hotline. Users may also sign up to be notified if there is a change in the status of an offender, including lawful release, escape, work release, and 16 other scenarios.
VINE is a free and anonymous telephone service t designed to provide two important features to crime victims: information and notification. VINE is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is a joint effort between the Oregon Departments of Justice and Corrections in cooperation with the Oregon State Sheriffs Association and the Oregon Youth Authority.
VINE monitors the custody status of offenders in the Department of Corrections and individuals currently on probation. Offenders in the custody of county jails and confined to Oregon Youth Authority facilities will be added by the end of 2002.
The Oregon VINE service is available in English and Spanish. A live operator is available to provide assistance to anyone calling the toll-free number for any reason.
Information Calls:
VINE will tell callers if an offender is in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections or under probation supervision by local community corrections offices.
To search for information, callers will need to provide one or more of the following items:
- Offender’s name and correct spelling
- Offender’s State Identification Number ("SID Number")
- JJIS Number for Oregon Youth Authority
Secondary search options (if there is more than one offender with the same name):
VINE will provide the caller with the following information:
- Name of offender
- Offender’s State Identification Number ("SID Number")
- Current custody status
- Location of offender: Prison name or community corrections location
- Scheduled release date
- Community supervision expiration date
Notification Calls:
The VINE system will allow callers to leave a phone number if they want to be called automatically when an offender’s custody status changes, such as being released or transferred. The computer will also notify registered callers if their offender escapes, dies, or has a change in parole or probation status.
Crime victims and concerned citizens may register for VINE’s notification feature by calling with the following information:
- A telephone number, including area code, where they can be reached for notification.
- A 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Data Transfer Schedule:
County Jail (online by 12/2002): Every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
DOC/Community Corrections: 4 times a day, 7 days a week.
For more information, contact Keith Benefiel, VINE project manager at (503) 945-9064 or email him at: keith.a.benefiel@doc.state.or.us
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| New Assistant Director at ISSD |
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New Assistant Director for ISSD Chosen
Glenn Riley, DOC assistant director for Information Systems and Services, recently announced his retirement from state service effective March 29, 2002. Chosen as his successor is John Koreski, deputy chief information officer at the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Koreski comes to the DOC with extensive experience in systems development, large projects and executive management in one of the state's largest and most-complex departments. Earlier, he worked for several years in the juvenile corrections system. Koreski holds a bachelor’s degree in corrections from Western Oregon University and a master’s degree in public administration from Lewis and Clark College.
"I hope you will make John feel welcome here as we extend our thanks to Glenn Riley for his outstanding service to the department," says Director Dave Cook. "We wish Glenn all the best for his future, and look forward to ongoing excellence in our Information Systems and Services Division under John’s leadership."
Koreski lives in Salem and enjoys running, playing guitar, and following local sports. He joins the department March 18, and will work with Glenn Riley until the end of March to ensure a smooth transition.
"I am excited about joining an organization that has such a great reputation for providing excellent service in the public safety arena," says Koreski. "I hope that I am up to the challenge of maintaining that tradition."
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| Coffee Creek Open House |
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Coffee Creek Open House on April 6
The state’s new multi-custody women’s prison and co-gender intake center will hold an open house commemorating its completion on Saturday, April 6, 2002. Guided tours will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a short opening ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Directions to the facility will be in next month’s Corrections News OnLine.
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| Sustainability Update |
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A new 28-page publication, "Looking for Oregon's Future: What Is Sustainability?" gives citizens and organizations around the state a tool to help them examine and discuss issues and efforts related to sustainability.
Produced by the Oregon State University Extension Service in cooperation with the Governor's Office and the Oregon Progress Board, its goal is to help government departments and employees who work with Oregonians on sustainability issues.
You can receive bulk quantities of the publication and discussion guides at no charge via the state shuttle mail; there are shipping and handling charges only for copies sent through the U.S. Postal Service or by other commercial carriers.
To order copies, call Sandy Reichhuber at (800) 561-6719 or e-mail: puborders@orst.edu.
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| More News |
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- The department is in the process of purchasing 234 puncture-resistant security vests in a pilot project to test their effectiveness in DOC’s facilities. Selected staff at CCCF, EOCI, OSCI, OSP, SRCI and TRCI may be eligible to participate. Those volunteers selected for the pilot will have vests custom fitted to them, and will be expected to wear the vests sat all times when working at their normal duty stations during the six-month trial period. They also will be asked to fill out surveys at various points of the pilot project. For more information, contact your institution’s security manager.
- SCCI Weathers February 7 Storm: Storm winds estimated at up to 100 mph struck SCCI at 3:30 p.m., Thursday February 7. Approximately 20 old growth trees where blown down. An inmate forestry work crew returning to the institution helped clear some of the many trees that were also downed on Hwy. 101, then had to cut their way back into the institution by removing five fallen trees that blocked the entrance. Electrical power was out from 3:30 p.m. Thursday to 7:00 p.m. Friday. Generators produced ample power to keep the institution secure and operating. A propane grill provided hot meals for inmates. Kudos to SCCI staff for their extra efforts to keep the institution running smoothly despite the challenges.
- The OCJA East Side Pistol Match will be Saturday, May 4, 2002 in Ontario, hosted by SRCI. The match is open to all active and reserve police, corrections and parole and probation officers in good standing. Note: The Fall West Side match date and site have not yet been confirmed.
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| Additional Information |
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DOC Corrections News
Oregon Department of Corrections
David S. Cook, 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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