| March 2005 Corrections News Online |
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| Director's Message |
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The agency’s budget bill, HB 5016, had its first hearings before the Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee in February. This was phase one of our presentation, providing the basics of agency operations with a focus on our plans to manage our growing inmate population. We also discussed our request to move forward with a 324-bed expansion at Coffee Creek and permission to begin construction of the new prison in Madras.
A key question being asked by legislators and others is if these beds are truly needed. They are. DOC has already put in emergency beds in all the areas where they can be safely housed. We also have begun renting beds in jails around the state. Yet, that will not be enough to house all the inmates sent to our custody by the courts.
The Oregon prison population forecast continues to show significant growth in the inmate population. On December 1, 2004, the inmate population was 12,730. By the end of the 2005-2007 biennium, the population is projected to be 14,223, an increase of more than 1,500 inmates. The growth is expected to continue, with 17,572 inmates housed in our prisons by July 2014 (the end of the 10-year forecast period). That is 4,842 more inmates than we house today. Even with Warner Creek opening late this year, there are not enough prison and jail beds in the state to meet the projected need.
Some legislators are considering changes to sentencing, including increasing earned time credit and possibly extending earned time to Measure 11 offenders. However, these changes would not apply to those already in the system, and could not stem the population growth quickly enough to eliminate the need for at least the expansion at Coffee Creek and the new prison in Madras.
These are difficult times for legislators, particularly in light of the overall General Fund budget shortfalls they face. We wish them well, and will continue to provide them with the best factual information possible as they make their decision. We will keep you posted on our progress with the budget as it moves through the Legislature.
Sincerely,
 
Max Williams Mitch Morrow
Director Deputy Director
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| DOC's long-range construction plan |
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(based on the October 2004 forecast):
Location Number of beds Desired completion date
Warner Creek Correctional Facility (Lakeview)
– Men’s minimum security work camp................... 400................................... September 2005
Expansion of Shutter Creek Corr. Institution............. 100.................................... December 2005
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
– Additional minimum dorm for women................. 108............................................. July 2006
Madras – Men’s minimum security facility ................ 864....................................... October 2006
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
– Additional med. housing units for women........... 216........................................ January 2007
Madras – Men’s medium-security beds..................1,240..................................... November 2007
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| Youth Conservation Corps Seeks Recruits for Summer |
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The Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) 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).”
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 wishing to receive an application packet should contact DOC Workforce Development’s Gayle DenBeste with their names, addresses, phone numbers and ages. Gayle can be reached by phone at (503) 378-6482 x7132 or by e-mail to: gayle.m.denbeste@doc.state.or.us.
For general information about the OYCC, log on to: www.oycc.state.or.us.
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| Update on Investigations Unit's Responsibilities |
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The Department of Corrections and the Oregon State Police have a long and productive working relationship. The State Police are responsible for working with all state agencies on internal criminal matters. In our case, their authority encompasses both staff and inmate issues.
Because of the size and complexity of our agency, we are unique in having our own investigative body that works in tandem with the State Police. DOC’s Inspections Division not only comprises Rules, Hearings and drug testing, but also devotes an enormous amount of energy to keeping DOC safe by thoroughly investigating allegations raised about activities within our agency.
As with all of DOC’s business units, Inspections is constantly evolving. In collaboration with the State Police, Inspector General Rebecca Prinslow recently clarified the responsibilities of her unit and those in which the State Police will take the lead:
DOC Investigations Unit
- Supplying / Possession of contraband (all drugs, money, etc.) found inside the institutions, on institution property or on inmate work crews
- Possession of weapons by inmates occurring inside the institutions, on institution property or on inmate work crews
- Allegations of staff misconduct (if determined to be criminal in nature, the Investigations Unit will notify State Police)
Oregon State Police
- All crimes against persons, i.e. homicide, assault, sex crimes, etc.
- All criminal investigations involving persons other than inmates
- All felony theft cases
- All criminal cases involving public officials
- Any other cases involving criminal acts by inmates or DOC employees with a DOC nexus
- Use of deadly physical force involving a firearm
Investigations Administrator Randy Everitt and Investigations Manager Alan Scharn share responsibility for assigning work and emergency notifications for the Investigations Unit. Their contact information is included in all institutions’ emergency notifications protocols.
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| Q&A on Inspector General's Hotline |
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Following the debut last month of the Inspector General’s two new hotlines, some great questions were asked. Inspector General Rebecca Prinslow provides some answers:
Question: Does the hotline change anything about what is investigated or by whom?
Prinslow: No, nothing has changed with the addition of the hotline. Allegations that are non-criminal are investigated by DOC Investigations Unit staff. Potential criminal violations are referred to the State Police for follow-up. Some investigations may still be handled at the functional unit level and not be referred to Investigations. The hotline simply provides an additional avenue for staff and inmates to use to report information. That information is subsequently assessed for appropriate follow-up action.
Question: How does this hotline fit with the Oregon Accountability Model culture?
Prinslow: Holding people accountable for behavior that violates standards of conduct is a basic principle of the OAM. Providing information about potential wrongdoing models pro-social behavior.
Question: Why are there two different numbers?
Prinslow: The number for the inmates is restricted to dialing in directly from the inmate phone system. Staff will not be able to access this number from any state or community phones. The number for staff is accessible from any DOC or community phone.
Question: Why did DOC add the hotline?
Prinslow: Although there currently exists ways for reporting concerns, the hotline provides direct and easy access to the Inspector General's Office.
Question: I have more questions. Who do I contact?
Prinslow: I welcome questions from staff. I may be contacted at 503-945-0931 and my email address is rebecca.a.prinslow@state.or.us.
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| Don't be hooked by a phishing expedition |
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By Kate Wood, Safety and Risk Manager, DAS
This past month has been phising season. I have had a series of e-mails to my state business e-mail address trying to get me to reveal personal information. While I find it hard to believe, Jan Margosian at DOJ tells me these bad guys will catch some trusting state employee with their phony lines. You may want to cast this information out through your information net (puns intended - it gets worse.) Some folks may think, because messages such as these come through the state e-mail system, they are legitimate.
These recent e-mails are about non-existent accounts at Bank of America, PayPal, and eBay. Their emulation of the authentic Web sites is remarkable. They tell me to take a few minutes out of my "online experience." Just send them my account numbers, they say. They will straighten out any misinformation. This will assure I won't have trouble in the future (How do you spell identity theft?)
These messages presume I have an account and I will think they are legitimate communications. They are phising (fishing) for information. And some people buy it - hook, line and sinker (I warned you!)
Don't let them get a line on you! Just because these messages make it past the state spam-toaster (or whatever high tech magic the ISSD folks are using to try to stop this stuff), don't be fooled. Never give out personal information on line to some unsolicited e-mail. Never use your state e-mail address for personal business. And don't reply to these e-mails. Ask your agency IT Office what to do with the messages. And tell your friends and families not to be caught in this net of deception.
Note from ISSD: DOC’s Mail Frontier software should be filtering most of your spam, but there are no guarantees. Kate provides great advice, and we recommend that you be cautious in all of your personal and professional online transactions.
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| About Corrections News Online |
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DOC Corrections News
Oregon Department of Corrections
Max Williams, Director
Mitch Morrow, Deputy Director
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