| Corrections News On-Line October 2003 |
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| Directors' Message |
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Identity theft is a huge and growing problem in Oregon and across the nation. To steal bank accounts and set up fraudulent credit, felons use the numbers that identify us, and we all pay the price.
To avoid adding to the problem, we’re taking a hard look at the information we collect. For example, we recently discovered we don’t need Social Security Numbers from prison visitors, guests and volunteers to run effective background checks. So, we’re re-writing the rule, redesigning the form and working on program changes to prevent unauthorized access to social Security Numbers. We’re also looking at other rules to see where the personal information of others might be vulnerable, and we’ll shut that door as well.
Another place we’re looking is at staff information. Our timesheets, personnel action forms, and other records may contain more identifying information than necessary. Chief of Security Paula Allen is working with Human Resources to determine whether some information might be purged from these forms without compromising their purpose.
So, as you go about your work, be on the lookout for personally identifying information that might be a problem in the wrong hands. Identity theft is a bigger problem than we can solve alone, but we can be part of the solution. Be proud of what we do.
Highest regards,
Nick Armenakis, Interim Director
Mitch Morrow, Deputy Director
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| New DOC Deputy... |
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and Assistant Director Named
While the Department of Corrections doesn’t yet have a new director, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has appointed our new deputy director. Mitch Morrow succeeds Nick Armenakis, who became interim director in September and is retiring from state service later this year.
Mr. Morrow joined the DOC in 1983 as a corrections officer at the penitentiary. Rising through the organization, he served as OSP’s assistant superintendent of security and as acting superintendent before becoming superintendent of OSCI in 1998. Mr. Morrow was named administrator of Oregon Corrections Enterprises in 2001. He became DOC’s assistant director for Institutions in 2002.
Governor Kulongoski’s announcement says: “In searching for the best talent to run our correctional system, one name surfaced time and time again, and that was Mitch Morrow.… The across-the-board support for this appointment was overwhelming, from labor to victims to the business community. It is especially gratifying that this exceptional person's career was nurtured from the front line, that his talents were recognized, and that he was able to earn the respect of so many people who have had the privilege to work with him."
Mr. Morrow is a graduate of George Fox University and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from George Fox University. He holds multiple certifications from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and the National Institute of Corrections.
Succeeding Mr. Morrow is the new Assistant Director for Institutions Stan Czerniak. Mr. Czerniak joined the DOC in January 2001 as superintendent of Oregon State Penitentiary and was promoted to administrator of the Institutions Division in September 2002.
Before joining the DOC, Mr. Czerniak served the State of Florida in positions including director of institutions, superintendent and statewide security administrator. Over the course of his career, he held positions in Illinois and Arizona, which include youth correctional officer, correctional counselor, assistant superintendent, and warden. Mr. Czerniak also consulted extensively for the NIC and wrote articles for corrections trade journals.
Mr. Czerniak holds a master’s degree in administration from George Williams College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology from Aurora University, both in Illinois. An army veteran, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Cross of Gallantry for his service as a sergeant in the Vietnam War.
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| As Oregon Forest Blaze,... |
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Inmate Crews Go to Work
Oregon’s 2003 fire season will go down in the record books as one of the worst to hit the state. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, 1,061 separate fires have already devastated nearly 7,000 acres of state forestland and threatened communities.
As they have for decades, DOC inmates and staff were there to help – fire crews to battle the flames and camp support crews to keep everyone fed and supplied. To prepare for the fire season, the Oregon Department of Forestry comes in each spring to train selected minimum-custody inmates and then outfit the prisons that will send out crews with equipment for rapid deployment in the event of an emergency.
“We’ve had an ongoing, hugely successful partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry for more than 50 years that just keeps getting better,” says DOC Inmate Work Programs Administrator Debra Slater. “This year alone, we spent nearly 4,000 inmate days in the forests fighting fires and supporting fire camps. This partnership provides excellent experience for inmates, needed help for forests endangered by wildfire, and significant savings for taxpayers.”
The list below shows the sending institutions and the number of inmate days worked so far this fire season by fire crews and camp support crews:
| Institution |
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No. of inmate days worked |
| CRCI/SFFC |
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1,298 |
| PRCF |
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460 |
| SCCI |
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1,335 |
| SRCI Minimum |
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820 |
| Total |
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3,913 |
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| Preview of In-Service 2004 |
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It’s getting near that time again. The In-Service Training for 2004 is coming up, and the department’s training staff is working to build on last year’s program to make 2004 another successful year. Although some details are yet to be worked out, it’s shaping up to be a productive week of training.
The week will begin with a look back at the successes of 2003, with a video of interviews with staff from various DOC sites (you might even see yourself!). Next will be a discussion of the 2003-05 budget, prison population forecasts, and developing new agency leaders (succession planning).
Remember the “3 R’s” (Role-model, Reinforce, Redirect)? In-Service classes will review them and discuss what worked in the last year, what could be improved, and how to coach others new to the 3 R’s.
Other discussions will cover such topics as “raising the bar” to create ever more professional work environments, how to apply the 3 R’s to the disciplinary process (from de-escalation to documentation), Counseling and Treatment Services training, and biennial CPR/First Aid recertification. All staff will get a revised Emergency Preparedness program, and security staff will get Defensive Tactics Post Qualification.
Announcements of in-service locations and dates will be posted in public folders later this month. For more information, contact Staff Training Administrator Greg Morton by e-mail at: gregory.r.morton@doc.state.or.us or contact the training specialist in your area.
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| ISSD Update:... |
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Non-DOC E-mail Access Blocked from System
The department is fending off an increasing number and variety of cyber attacks that use multiple means to introduce viruses and worms into our system. As hackers become more sophisticated, it’s getting more difficult to defend against them. So far, we’ve had some close calls, but the department has been fortunate to have good screening software and a responsive technical staff who have been able to stop the attacks at our door.
However, the DOC network had a huge vulnerability when staff accessed their personal e-mail accounts via the Internet from DOC computers. Private e-mail accounts don’t go through our anti-virus filtering. Most of the recent attacks that have crippled other networks have been through e-mail and e-mail attachments.
The department recently installed software that will block access to non-Outlook, private e-mail systems via the Internet from any PC on our network. Exceptions or “work-arounds” can be made if there is a satisfactory business case to justify it and there is minimal risk of introducing a virus. Once the business case has been approved by local management, please send a memo or e-mail to Christine Ladd and ISSD will evaluate your request.
The Acceptable Use Policy 60.1.1 allows limited personal use of DOC equipment and systems for emergencies and critical issues. Since staff are no longer able to read personal e-mail via the Internet from DOC equipment, ISSD suggests one quick work-around is to have important e-mails from outside the department sent to your DOC e-mail address.
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| National Organization... |
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has Local Connection
The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) was created as a national not-for-profit organization in 1984. Its goal is to sustain, support and assist the survivors of correctional officers killed in the line of duty and to promote and project a positive image of officers both within the profession and to the public.
A significant portion of CPOF’s efforts is its “Catastrophic Assistance Program” for
corrections employees and their families in times of severe personal crisis and need. Coffee Creek’s Sgt. Wava Miller is active in these projects to help assault survivors and their families. Recently, she was selected by the CPOF board of directors to coordinate all honor guard escorts assigned to the families of fallen officers. She uses her vacation time to attend projects in other states.
“We try to help a lot with coping skills,” says Sgt. Miller. “Each year, I am assigned to a family of a fallen officer somewhere in the nation, and I serve as their honor escort at ceremonies.” Sgt. Miller says she is involved because she had lost friends and family members. “This foundation is totally for the families … they do so much for the children,” continues Sgt. Miller. “You don’t have to be in security to join. Everyone in corrections can get involved.”
You can learn more about the foundation, its activities and scholarships on-line at: http://www.cpof.org/
or contact Sgt. Wava Miller by e-mail to: wava.l.miller@doc.state.or.us .
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| More News... |
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- Background checks change: Because of concerns about identity theft, the DOC no longer requires a Social Security Number (SSN) for background checks on visitors, guests and volunteers. Until new forms are ready, please cross out the space for the SSN on the current forms or just leave those spaces blank.
- The Oregon Social Learning Center seeks inmates and their families for a federally funded parenting education study. Notices will soon appear in inmate newsletters, on bulletin boards, and on fliers in visiting rooms recruiting volunteers. Interested inmates should contact DOC Parenting Inside Out Program Director Rex Newton at OSP.
- October is PEBB Open Enrollment: If you are making any changes, your completed forms are due by October 31. If you haven’t received your packet, please contact your Human Resources representative.
- October 9th is National Depression Screening Day: Cascade Employee Assistance is the State of Oregon’s contractor for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). In addition to other services, Cascade offers free, confidential mental health phone screenings. Counselors can provide an assessment with recommendations for treatment and resources by phone or in person. The EAP also includes consultation for managers to help identify warning signs of depression in others. For an appointment or more information, call Cascade EAP at (503) 639-3009 or (800) 433-2320.
- Charitable Fund Drive: It’s easy to contribute to more than a thousand charities in seven donation groups that provide services to the most-needy people in our communities through the State Employees Charitable Fund Drive. You may contribute in cash or by credit card, check or payroll deduction. Please contact DOC Payroll with any questions.
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| Coming Events: |
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Baker City - October 6: DOC Annual Awards Ceremony: 1:30 p.m., at the Oregon Trail Regional Museum, 2475 Grove Street. For more information, contact Denise Turner at (503) 945-9006 or by e-mail to denise.turner@doc.state.or.us.
DOC Corrections News
Oregon Department of Corrections
Nick Armenakis, Interim Director
Mitch Morrow, Deputy 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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