| Oregon DOC News & Notes - October 2007 |
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| Directors' Message: New Biennium, Budget and Strategic Plan |
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Update on DOC's Budget and Strategic Plan
As the 2007-09 Biennium begins, the Oregon Department of Corrections builds on a solid foundation. DOC’s already strong relationships with legislators, other state agencies and our community partners became even stronger over the last two years.
It is DOC’s solid reputation for fiscal responsibility and integrity that led to our success during the legislative session. Thank you to everyone who provided timely and accurate information, welcomed legislative tours through our facilities, and otherwise supported the preparation and presentation of our budget though your ongoing professionalism and hard work. It does not go unnoticed.
During the session, DOC had three legislative concepts that we successfully ushered into law:
- Senate Bill 189 authorizes changes in how we offer inmate education, including putting into statute for the first time the idea that we should prioritize GED-level education to our inmates to enhance their transition to the community.
- Senate Bill 190 ensures that any Department of Corrections employee exposed to inmate bodily fluids has the right to learn the inmate’s health information necessary to determine the need for further medical testing and treatment.
- House Bill 2241 allows DOC to modify the alternative incarceration program at Shutter Creek so the program can be adapted to evidence-based practices that encourage personal responsibility, while having the greatest possible effect on recidivism. The bill also allows inmates who are proceeding through the program more slowly to be held in the program for a longer period of time.
DOC’s 2007-09 Legislatively Adopted Budget: We have a 2007-09 agency budget with some exciting elements and that reflect our growing inmate population and the increasing costs of doing the business of an effective corrections system:
- This budget represents the largest investment in treatment and transitional services in the last decade. It includes creation of 106 new drug and alcohol treatment beds and 106 mental health treatment beds at Deer Ridge and funding for new mental health providers.
- Re-entry coordinators will be added at releasing facilities statewide to better ensure successful offender transition from prison to the community after the completion of their sentences. The return on this investment will be a reduction in future victimization by further reducing offender recidivism as we focus on transition and reentry.
- For the first time in many years, we were able to get support for more than $23 million of deferred maintenance on number one and number two priorities throughout DOC, making our facilities safer and protecting the investment Oregon has made in its prison-system infrastructure.
- As a result of the Community Corrections Actual Cost Study, state funding for community corrections was increased allowing the state to continue to honor its commitment to the counties under Senate Bill 1145. The 19 percent increase in funding over last biennium supports the tradition of local supervision and control. It gives county and state (Douglas and Linn) officials increased means to provide offenders the opportunity to succeed and stay out of trouble, and to hold them accountable if they do not.
With this good news also comes some challenges. The Legislature took $12.3 million in unspecified reductions, placing greater pressure on both vacancy and overtime management. They did not completely fund certain areas where we will face unfunded liabilities in this biennium. This means we all must continue the careful fiscal restraint we have exercised over the last several years.
DOC’s Strategic Plan: You recently received a copy of the DOC 2007-09 Strategic Plan in your e-mail. It represents our business strategy for the 2007-09 biennium and beyond and includes:
- Ongoing and high-level performance measures established by and reported to the Legislature;
- Focus areas that measure progress and continue the implementation of the Oregon Accountability Model;
- A report of our progress on our prior strategic initiatives; and
- Specific goals, projects and initiatives that are part of our long-range plans.
We ask that each of you take the time to read the plan and consider your ongoing role in carrying out our mission, goals and 11 strategic initiatives for 2007-09:
- Governor’s Re-Entry Council
- Support Family-Inmate Connections
- Employee Safety and Wellness
- Business Continuity Planning
- Integrate Program Databases into the Corrections Information System
- Security Threat Management
- Enhance Sustainability
- Home for Good in Oregon
- Counselor Caseload Management
- Sustainability of the Corrections Information System
- Human Resources Information System Project
In closing, thank you for all of the excellent work that you do. We are proud of what we already have accomplished together and look forward to serving you in the coming years as we continue fulfilling our mission to make Oregon and its citizens more safe and secure while helping to turn-around the lives of those entrusted to our custody.
Sincerely,
 
Max Williams Mitch Morrow
Director Deputy Director
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| Governor's Re-Entry Council |
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Because 97 percent of all inmates will someday be released, it is important that the entire criminal justice and public safety system works to help them to do so as productive, law-abiding contributors to their families and to society… to successfully “re-enter” Oregon’s communities.
Re-entry is not solely a corrections issue. It is clear both nationally and in Oregon that the number and nature of the barriers to successful re-entry are many, and extend far beyond the boundaries of the criminal justice system. It will take leadership among diverse stakeholders – to first identify the systemic barriers to successful re-entry and then to find cost-effective ways to overcome those barriers – for Oregon to achieve its public safety goals.
Governor Kulongoski recently signed an Executive Order creating the Oregon Re-Entry Council, composed of agency heads, community leaders and experts from around the state. Working together, this will be an exciting opportunity to develop new ways of bridging the distance between budgets and programs, between public and private, between incarceration and the community.
This council will address the need for an integrated network of support to help returning offenders to succeed in our communities. It will help strengthen community supervision through treatment and programs that start inside the walls of our jails and prisons and continue in the community. The council will address the need for coordinated efforts to provide structure, housing, education and employment. While incarceration and supervision are effective short-term reactions to crime, the criminal justice system can – and should – achieve better results in reducing the reoffending that creates new victims at enormous costs to society.
The council is charged with finding new ways to develop specific plans to increase public safety and to reduce the number of future victims. Increased collaboration can improve public safety through offender success – the goal of any effort to improve re-entry.
By developing stronger, more-cohesive programs, offenders will re-enter society with better skills and more-stable resources. That means opening lines of communication between our parole and probation officers and resources for cognitive programs, alcohol and drug treatment, domestic violence intervention, and services for the mentally ill. It means doing more to create stable environments for these releasing offenders with housing, employment and other keys to success. It means looking at where we are today and deciding how we can be better tomorrow – and 10 years from now.
Finding ways to reduce all of the costs of crime – both the monetary and human – is what the Re-Entry Council is about. How these inmates are reintegrated into society is critical to reducing the threat of crime and controlling our long-term prison population.
For more information about the Re-Entry Council, contact Assistant Director for Transitional Services Ginger Martin by e-mail to: ginger.martin@doc.state.or.us.
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| Deer Ridge Correctional Institution Update |
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Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) has received its first minimum-custody inmates. While no one celebrates the need to build a new prison, DOC employees should be proud of the work that has gone into planning its construction and opening to ensure that from day one, DRCI is fulfilling our public safety mission.
Deer Ridge is located on 453 acres about four miles east of Madras, off Ashwood Road. Housing male inmates, it will consist of a 644-bed minimum security facility that opened this September, and a 1,240-bed medium-security facility that will open early next year.
When fully opened, Deer Ridge will have an estimated payroll of $22 million each year for a staff of about 450 employees. These are family wage jobs with benefits. DOC already has held eight recruitment fairs and events, and hiring continues as the institution prepares to open new units and programs.
Superintendent Sharon Blacketter and her staff are working with local leaders in an already strong Prison Advisory Committee, which provides representation from a broad cross-section of backgrounds and local interests. This group serves as citizen advisors to us about construction activities, correctional issues and other DOC activities that may affect communities in Jefferson County.
DRCI Quick Facts:
Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) is a level 1, 2 and 3 prison (minimum and medium security) located four miles East of Madras, Oregon. Construction began October 2005. Minimum security inmates begin arriving September 2007. The medium security prison will be completed and ready to house inmates in February 2008.
Address: Deer Ridge Correctional Institution
3920 E. Ashwood Road
Madras, Oregon 97741
(541) 325-5999
Leadership:
- Superintendent Sharon Blacketter
- Assistant Superintendent of Security Richard Ackley
- Assistant Superintendent of General Services Joe DeCamp
- Assistant Superintendent of Programs Kevin Hormann
Capacity:
- Budgeted capacity: 1,884 beds
- Minimum security beds: 644 (212 dedicated to special treatment programs)
- Medium security beds: 1,240
Program services:
- Education
- Drug and alcohol treatment
- Metal health treatment
Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE) industries:
Union representation:
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
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| 2007 Counselor Conference & Training Seminars |
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DOC’s counselors have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of offenders in custody. To help them in their jobs, the department will offer three “DOC Counselor Conference & Training Seminars” at DRCI in October and November. Because the information that will be presented is so important to their work, all institution counselors must attend one of the three seminars: October 9-12, October 23-26, or November 6-9. Counselors or their supervisors who have questions should contact Heidi Steward at (503) 947-1040 or Peggy Weddle at (503) 932-9722.
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| OSP TERT Competes in Oregon Tactical Officers Association |
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By Lt. B. Stephen, Oregon State Penitentiary
Oregon State Penitentiary Tactical Emergency Response Team (TERT) members participated in the Oregon Tactical Officers Association competition held June 19-21 in Bend/Redmond. This is the fifth year of the annual interagency training/competition, which rotates to different agencies and areas around the state.
The three-day event involved physical competitions, problem solving and tactical scenarios, and range firing events. Teams were evaluated and scored on their proficiency in engaging and neutralizing high-risk incidents that included responding to an armed subject on a school bus that was holding hostages, the execution of a high-risk search warrant at a residence, and a land navigation course in a hostile environment. Team members also were tested on their physical endurance while completing a challenging obstacle course and their overall marksmanship on the shooting range. On the second day of the competition, one team member from each team broke apart from the others and participated in precision rifle range events which included target detection exercises as well as rifle marksmanship skills.
The focus of the event was to improve the knowledge and skill levels of all officers participating, while adding the additional stress associated with active competition. Although the events were geared toward situations faced by police SWAT teams, all of them had applications in prison scenarios. The ability to network and learn with other teams was an invaluable opportunity for the OSP team.
What was learned at the competition will be shared with other facilities’ Squad Leaders in the development of lesson plans that reflect "best practices" in the world of tactical team operations. DOC will hold TERT Basic class at Camp Rilea on October 1-19 for 15 new TERT candidates, who must successfully complete rigorous training that includes physical fitness, advanced weapons and building clearing skills, chemical deployment and rappelling.
For more information about TERT recruitment and training, please contact DOC Chief of Security Paula Allen at (503) 945-0955 or by e-mail to paula.allen@doc.state.or.us.
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| Protecting Confidential Information |
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By Wendy Hatfield, Oregon State Correctional Institution
Requests for information come to us through e-mail, telephone inquiries, drop-in visits, and many other means of communication. Through the Corrections Information System (CIS), we gather, store and retrieve a wide range of information, but not all of it can be disclosed.
Determining what information is confidential and what information can be released is important to us as an agency and as individuals. Integrity is one of DOC’s core values, and confidentiality is a vital part of integrity. DOC Policy 20.1.3 states: “Each employee shall maintain the integrity of information received in the course of employment with the department, and not seek information beyond that needed to perform their duties; or reveal such information to anyone not have proper authorization.”
The number of laws enacted to safeguard information is growing and improper disclosure of private information can be both professionally damaging and open ourselves to legal liability.
Tips, techniques, and best practices for protecting confidential information:
Telephone:
- Check out your surroundings while you are on the telephone. Can anyone overhear?
- If you cannot speak directly to the person you need to reach, leave generic messages.
Fax machines:
- When receiving faxes, choose the most confidential location possible and remain at the machine if confidential information is being transmitted.
- When sending, call ahead to alert the receiver to quickly retrieve the information. Double-check the fax number with the receiver.
- Use a cover sheet with a printed confidentiality notice.
- If you accidentally send a fax to the wrong person, attempt to retrieve it.
- Check the fax machine at the end of the day to retrieve and deliver all confidential material.
- If you receive a fax in error, call the sender and report the error. Destroy the misdirected document.
Copiers and shared printers:
- Remain at the machine if confidential information is being copied or printed.
- Remember to retrieve your originals. Scan the area around the machine for confidential documents before leaving the area.
- Press “reset” to clear the copier’s memory.
- If the copier or printer jams, stay with the machine until all the paper is removed from inside. Destroy the bad copies.
E-mail procedures:
- If responding to an individual who requests sensitive information about herself or himself, reply first by confirming the person’s approval to correspond using our unsecured e-mail system.
Computer security:
- Guard your passwords.
- Lock your workstation (password protect) when you are away.
- Position your computer screen so that visitors can’t see sensitive information.
- Discontinue system access when an employee leaves a position with rights to databases containing confidential information.
Records and files:
- When the office is unattended, lock files containing protected information.
- Keep confidential information in your workspace out of sight (in folders, face down) from passersby and visitors.
- Shred or confidentially destroy sensitive information. Don’t throw this paperwork in the trash or recycling.
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| Release of Public Information |
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By Wendy Hatfield, Oregon State Correctional Institution
For many staff, “Can I release that piece of information” is a frequent question. The answer is not as difficult as one might think:
Any person may request information about DOC programs, services, facilities, employees, volunteers, inmates, and offenders.
The following routine information regarding inmates and offenders may always be released to anyone who asks:
- Name of inmate/offender;
- Date of birth;
- Sentence(s) (past and present);
- Offense(s) (past and present);
- Date received (past and present);
- County of commitment (past and present);
- Location of incarceration or supervision;
- Parole release date (past and present);
- Discharge date (past and present); and
- Physical description.
Unless you are authorized to do otherwise, requests for information beyond the public information listed above should be referred to your local public information officer (PIO) or the Office of Public Affairs.
The complete rule on the release of public information can be viewed at: http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_200/OAR_291/291_039.html
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| Certificate of Public Management |
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The Oregon Department of Corrections believes in the importance of investing in our employees – and in seeking opportunities to develop staff, train them to lead, and prepare for the future. This is particularly important as we grow and as we fill the positions of those who have moved into other jobs or retirement. Succession planning and leadership training are already important parts of our preparation of future leaders. Another option for DOC employees is the Certificate of Public Management Program (CPM) offered through the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University in Salem.
The program is a joint effort between the State of Oregon and Willamette University to provide instruction and case-study analysis experience to management and key contributing employees. The CPM is meant to enhance administrative effectiveness, technical competency, analytical abilities and communication skills.
Classes are taught by tenured, seasoned instructors skilled in public policy and governance issues facing state management. All CPM courses count towards a degree completion program or graduate studies. Recent graduates of this program include Chief of Security Paula Allen, OISC Administrator Rob Persson and OSCI Lieutenant Hubert Phillips.
To earn the CPM, students complete eight different 10-week courses over a 15-month period. Classes are held on Friday mornings at the Willamette University campus in Salem. Each course includes readings and project assignments including a paper or project (graded Pass/Fail). Participants are encouraged to bring work-related issues to the classes for purpose of discussion and as the basis for assignments.
The two CPM classes cost a total of $1,800 each term for tuition, fees, books and all materials. DOC picks up half of the cost for those accepted into the program, making the total cost to the employee to receive the certificate $3,600 over the four terms.
The next cohort begins in January, and information links are below. If you have questions about the program, please contact your supervisor.
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| Charitable Fund Drive |
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What Do You Care About?
Get ready to give because the 2007 State of Oregon Employees Charitable Fund Drive (CFD) is back. October is the time of year to give to the nonprofit organizations that you care about and want to support. The CFD was started 17 years ago and has raised over $17.4 million. Last year, Oregon state employees raised an impressive $1 million, and we hope to surpass that this year.
If you have never given through the CFD think about the impact that you can have by giving $5 a month – that’s just $60 a year. If all 50,000 state employees gave $5 a month we could raise $3 million in just one year.
The CFD allows you to give to a broad range of organizations, over 850. Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon, Oregon Food Bank and Legal Aid Services of Oregon are just a few of the organizations. Not sure which organization best fits your criteria? Go to http://ecfd.oregon.gov and you can sort the organizations by federation, county, region or type. There also will be brochures at your workplace with similar information.
CFD gives you two options when you decide to give. You can make a one-time single donation or have a set monthly payroll deduction. Either way, your money is going to help those in need.
If giving money isn’t possible, think about volunteering your time. Many nonprofits rely on volunteers in order to keep their costs low. Visit the above-mentioned website and click on the tab “Get Involved” for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact Susan Roberts DOC agency coordinator.
“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”- Mother Teresa
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| More News..... |
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All Central Distribution Center staff now have direct-dial numbers. You can link to the list to save it to your computer at: (All Public Folders/General Information/Phone Directories) Directory Aug 2007.xls If you cannot find a number, you can use the dial-by-name directory at (503) 378-3798.
The Inmate Phone Specialist Office moved to CDC from the Dome. Their new phone number is (503) 373-7697 and the fax is (503) 373-7863.
The following new federal reports are available on-line:
- Sexual Violence Reported by Correctional Authorities, 2006, presents data from the “Survey on Sexual Violence, 2006,” an administrative records collection of incidents of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual violence reported to correctional authorities. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/svrca06.htm
- Bureau of Justice Statistics Key Facts at a Glance charts:
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| About Corrections News & Notes |
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Oregon DOC News & Notes
Oregon Department of Corrections
Max Williams, Director
Mitch Morrow, Deputy Director
Nancy Sellers, Editor
Jennifer Black, Senior Writer
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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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