| Corrections News On-Line March 2003 |
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| Directors' Message |
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We’ve heard from many of you, and really appreciate the feedback. Now, nearly six weeks into the legislative session and four months away from the end of the biennium, we continue making do with less and working to lessen the impact of budget cuts on the core functions the department. Once again today, the state received a worse-than-expected revenue forecast from the Office of Economic Analysis. Revenues are now $244 million less than the state budget for the rest of the biennium. Legislators say they will consider emergency borrowing measures. You can read the full report at the OEA web site: http://www.oea.das.state.or.us
Legislative Update: There are already quite a few bills in the works that are important totheDOC. Here is a brief summary of a few of the most important:
Community Corrections
SB 366 - Arming POs: Authorizes parole and probation officers to carry firearms while engaged in official duties.
HB 2615 - Repeals county opt-outs: Repeals provision that allows counties to discontinue providing corrections services to certain felony offenders if total state community corrections appropriation drops below certain level. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2003. A 1995 agreement between the governor and Legislature allows counties to opt out if the state doesn’t maintain a certain level of funding of community corrections.
HB 2480 - Tax credit for hiring ex-offenders: Establishes tax credit for taxpayer that employs and trains person who has been released from incarceration. Applies to hirings made in tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2004. This bill would impact community corrections; it addresses performance measures and aims to improve offenders’ success of transition from prison to community.
Sentence Modification & Other Release Issues
SB 29 & 579; HB 2070, 2701 & 2605 - Mandatory minimum/presumptive sentence changes: Changes certain mandatory minimum sentences into presumptive sentences or alters presumptive sentences.
SB 507 - Transitional leave: Increases length of time person may be released on transitional leave from correctional institution from 30 days to 180 days.
SB 512 - Time credits: Increases maximum amount of time credits earned for reduction in term of incarceration from 20 to 30 percent of total term of incarceration for non-Measure 11 offenders.
Prisons
SB 428 -- Sex-offender treatment pilot: Directs Department of Corrections and Oregon State Hospital to establish sex offender treatment pilot program.
SB 628 - Expands disclosure of records complied pursuant to child abuse report: This bill would allow the release of such information to any law enforcement agency, community corrections, the DOC and the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision for the purpose of managing and supervising offenders in custody or on probation, parole or post-prison supervision.
HB 2177 - Anti-stalking: Provides that inmates may not bring civil stalking action against officer, employee or agent of Department of Corrections for official conduct of officer, employee or agent. Amendments are expected to include OYA and jail staffs; amendments may also extend the ban to police and parole officers.
HB 2412 & SB 694 -- Private Prisons: Authorizes Department of Corrections, intergovernmental corrections entities, counties and cities to contract with private prison providers for provision of correctional services.
HB 2647 -- Alternative Incarceration Program: Requires programs to include extensive self-discipline, physical work, and physical exercise.
As always, we appreciate it when you send in your ideas on how to save state resources. In addition, DAS recently set up an e-mail for the public and state employees to send suggestions on how government can improve. It is intended to provide people with an opportunity to give their input on ways to save money or increase efficiency. The email address is: govconnect@das.state.or.us. We hope you’ll keep sending your ideas to us as well … we want to hear from you!
Warm regards,
Ben de Haan Nick Armenakis
Interim Director Deputy Director
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| OAM Update |
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A Review of the Components
For months now we've been talking about the Oregon Accountability Model. It’s made its way into our post orders, our recruitments, our promotional interviews and -- as we saw in last month’s newsletter -- into this year's in-service training. However, some people still ask: “But what is it?”
The long answer is: The Oregon Accountability Model is the simultaneous, coordinated and efficient implementation of many Department of Corrections’ initiatives and projects that provide a foundation for inmates to lead successful lives upon release.
The short answer is the OAM guides everything we do toward meeting our mission of promoting public safety by holding offenders accountable for their actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior.
The Oregon Accountability Model has six components that are backed up by the “what works” studies:
1. Criminal Risk Factor Assessment and Case Planning: How we assess the potential risks of inmates that contribute to their criminality and then develop a plan while they are incarcerated that will mitigate the identified risks
2. Staff-Inmate Interactions: The impact that staff have on the change process of inmates.
3. Work and Programs: Using our best work and programs as a means to mitigate identified criminal risk factors for inmates.
4. Children and Families: The impact of inmates’ children and families on the change process for inmates and how the department can best partner with these groups.
5. Reentry: Working with inmates to translate the skills they have gained while incarcerated to skills that help them remain crime free once on community supervision.
6. Community Supervision and Programs: Partnering with the community to hold inmates/offenders accountable and continue to mitigate identified criminal risk factors.
“Each of these components stands on its own as a project or a part of the Oregon Department of Corrections' organization and culture,” says DOC Transition Project Manager Tonya Ruscoe. “However, woven together these six separate components form a stronger fiber that strengthens the department's ability to hold inmates/offenders accountable for their actions and DOC staff accountable for achieving the mission and vision of the department.”
For more information on the OAM, contact Tonya Ruscoe at tonya.ruscoe@doc.state.or.us.
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| FAQs About Recent Order |
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FAQs About the Governor’s Recent Reduction Order
Three Percent Reduction & Merit Increases
Q: Do management and executive service employees in salary ranges 24 through 37 receive a 3 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the month of February, which will then be rescinded in March?
A: Yes. They will see the 3 percent COLA in their February paycheck (paid February 28th). That is the only check that will include the COLA.
Q: Do the reductions apply to all funds or just General Funds?
A: They apply to all funds.
Q: Will unrepresented temps receive the COLA?
A: No.
Q: Will management and executive service employees in salary ranges 38 and above get the 3 percent COLA for the month of February?
A: No. Governor Kitzhaber previously determined they would not.
Q: Can we continue to give regular annual merit increases until 6/30/03?
A: Yes.
Q: Can we give special merit increases until 6/30/03?
A: No.
Administrative Cost Avoidance
Q: We are an Other-Funded agency that does not receive a General Fund appropriation - do we still need to comply?
A: All of us need to take the governor’s message seriously and look for ways to reduce costs. Many Other Fund agencies receive General Funds indirectly; as such, it is difficult to separate specific elements or functions by funding source.
No Purchases of New Furniture & Capital Equipment
Q: Can we purchase new furniture or equipment if it is needed to modify workstations for workers comp injuries, accommodate people with disabilities, or for ergonomic safety?
A: We will continue to meet our obligations to accommodate people with disabilities and injured workers as well as prevent injuries through the provision of appropriate ergonomic furniture. However, agencies are expected to first pursue used furniture and equipment through surplus property or within their own inventory. Human Resource staff should analyze all requests in this area, document the need, and determine an appropriate course of action.
No New Memberships and Subscriptions
Q: Can we renew memberships and subscriptions?
A: Membership renewals must be directly tied to the person’s professional licensure and/or ability to carry out their job. Subscription renewals must supply a critical source of technical information and not be available online or at the library. Agencies should also review the number of newspaper subscriptions they currently received and look for ways to cut back; remember, the information is also available on-line.
Out-of-State Travel
Q: Can an employee travel out of state for reasons other than client-related, for economic development, or required by federal grants if the travel is reimbursed from a non-GF/LF entity?
A: Yes, as long as the reimbursement is received prior to June 30, 2003.
No State-Sponsored Statewide Meetings or Conferences
Q: What is meant by this?
A: This restriction is intended to eliminate the food, beverage, travel, and/or lodging costs associated with hosting statewide conferences/events that may include public and private sector participants or statewide meetings that bring field staff to a central location. If you have already made these reservations and would be subject to a cancellation fee, you need to compare it to the costs you would incur if you held the event.
We are not eliminating meetings and training sessions that you require for your employees; however, for required larger group meetings, agencies should explore video-conferencing or conference calls, to the extent that they reduce costs.
Finally, this is not intended to eliminate board or commission meetings that are necessary to conduct business.
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| In-Service 2003 |
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The Three Rs of Staff/Inmate Interactions
In the newsletter last month we talked about the underutilized role of line employees in impacting the long-term success of released offenders. New general post order language says:
“All staff of the Oregon Department of Corrections are responsible for contributing to long-term public safety by influencing sustainable offender change.”
The second paragraph of this new language introduces what we are referring to in the 2003 in-service program as the “3 Rs”:
“Each employee is expected to role model pro-social behavior, redirect anti-social behavior and look for opportunities to reinforce positive change in individual offenders throughout their day-to-day interactions.”
The 2003 in-service program outlines principles for each of the 3 Rs such as:
Model pro-social behavior as often as possible, and talk more about the desirable behavior than the undesirable.
Notice pro-social behavior and provide positive reinforcement with clear and consistent language.
Redirect by stating the preferred behaviors when applying corrective consequences.
“We must adhere to these OAM principles while maintaining security,” says DOC Staff Training & Employee Development Administrator Greg Morton. “They purposefully describe and define which of our behaviors and actions will have the most impact on an inmate’s chance for future success.”
Morton concludes: “As one training participant said, ‘If we know that these principles work, and we have the opportunity to use them, then why wouldn’t we?’”
Next month: Role Modeling - Be Worthy of Respect and Imitation
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| VINE System Implementation |
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VINE System Implementation Nearly Completed
When asked what they expect from the criminal justice system, many crime victims say they need information, notification of release, and an increased sense of safety and security about their victimizers. Toward that end, the DOC and the Oregon Department of Justice partnered to bring the Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) to Oregon. DOC’s portion of the system’s cost is paid from withholdings from inmates’ incentive awards for their work and other programs.
Victims of crime and other concerned citizens can call 1-877-OR-VINE (1-877-674-8463) to access a database of information on more than 40,000 offenders in Oregon. This free, anonymous computer system 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 automatically and anonymously notified if there is a change in the status of an offender, including lawful release, escape, work release, and 16 other scenarios.
"Crime victims can live in a state of fear that's difficult for others to comprehend,” says VINE Project Manager Keith Benefiel. “The most important thing we can do for victims is help protect them, but it's also vitally important to restore what the offender has taken away: a feeling of independence and individual empowerment.”
Oregon is the 14th state system to implement VINE, but the first to include parole and probation as part of the system. As of March 1, 2003, the Oregon Youth Authority joins to include notifications and information on youthful offenders. Lane and Clatsop counties have the only two remaining jails yet to come online.
For more information, contact Keith Benefiel at (503) 945-9064 or by e-mail: keith.a.benefiel@doc.state.or.us.
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| Lunch Was on the House |
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SCCI Interim Superintendent Dave Pastor took the Oregon SUMMIT Program to new heights on February 7, when he made good on a challenge to graduating inmates to change their lives. More than a year ago, Pastor promised to honor the first community with a 100 percent success rate on transitional leave by eating his lunch atop the tallest building at the North Bend prison.
Since SUMMIT began in 1994, no graduating group of inmates had 100 percent successfully completed their three-month transitional leaves. The 39 members of the 47th community were the first to meet the challenge. Pastor climbed into the institution’s man lift and was raised to the top of Freedom Hall. From his rooftop vantage point, Pastor ate lunch as he fielded questions from SCCI staff, media representatives and current SUMMIT Program participants.
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| More News |
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Last call! Applications for the 2003 Mobile Work Camp job rotation in the Deschutes National Forest are due March 3. If you are interested, submit a letter of interest describing how your background and experience qualify you for this assignment. Also, include a signed authorization from your supervisor releasing you to participate in this job rotation. The experience described in the letter of interest will be used to identify which applicants will be invited for interviews. Your letter of interest and authorization must be received by 5:00 p.m. on March 3. Send it to: Department of Corrections, Attn: Recruitment/ Mobile Work Camp, 1793 13th Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97302-2599 or fax it to:
(503) 373-0747.
Deployments: Our very best wishes go to:
OSCI Food Services Coordinator Scott Roberts is deployed this month to an undisclosed location for a year of active duty with the Air Force. Scott’s wife is Institutions Division Executive Support Specialist Susan Roberts.
OSP Cpl. Harlowe O. Quijano has been activated for the Marine Corps.
CCCF Officer Lewis Riggs was recently called to active duty, his destination unknown at this time. He will be gone about a year with the Army Reserves.
CCCF Officer Steven McLay was just called to active duty. His destination is also unknown at this time, and he will be gone anywhere from two weeks to one year. He is with the Oregon Army National Guard.
CCCF’s Lt. Mat Brady and Cpl. Carl Gabba have been in the Middle East since about last May, and don’t have a return date yet. They are with the Oregon Army National Guard.
Welcome home to OSP Cpl. David Bowman, who just returned from a 10-month tour of duty in Egypt with the Oregon Army National Guard.
We received this note at Corrections News from PRCF Lt. Scott Shively: "CO D. Saxton and I are currently on a one-year duty rotation overseas. The two of us are in the same unit, and we would like to thank everyone back at home for their support during this time of separation from our families.
You can contact us at: scottglocku701@netscape.net ."
(Editor’s note: If you know of other DOC staff who have been or will be deployed or who have recently returned, please let Corrections News OnLine know.)
U.S. Savings Bonds changing: Series EE and I Bonds with an issue date of February 2003 or later now must be held for at least 12 months before they can be cashed. Savings bonds issued before February 2003 can be redeemed after six months. For more information about U.S. Savings Bonds, visit www.treasurydirect.gov.
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| Additional Information |
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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.
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