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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 1, 2000
Public invited to do time in prison "cell-abration"
TRCI opens its doors during open house and Cell-In
When Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla opens its doors to the public on Saturday, March 11, some willing guests will be able to "do time" in Oregon’s newest medium security prison. In a first for the Oregon Department of Corrections, up to a hundred people will sample inmate life for an afternoon during a well planned "Cell-In."
Invited guests and members of the public who sign up for the event before March 9 will be treated to an afternoon of prison hospitality, according to Bob Schiedler, superintendent of Two Rivers Correctional Institution.
"We have a full schedule planned," said Mr. Schiedler. "In just a few hours, these ‘citizen inmates’ will experience a taste of prison life including lunch, participation in work activities, rehabilitation programs, cell time and recreation.
"Our staff is looking forward to extending a different sort of hospitality to the community than we might normally consider," Mr. Schiedler continued. "This is more than a tour; its really a one-time opportunity to experience a condensed version of prison life."TRCI Open House and Cell-In
The "Cell-In" is just one of several activities planned by the Department of Corrections to celebrate the opening of Two Rivers. The highlight of opening weekend is a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony, also on Saturday, March 11. The brief ceremony will be followed by a reception and tours, until 5 p.m., of the 600,000+ sq.ft. prison. Law enforcement personnel will be treated to a special day of tours on Friday, March 10.
"We ask that the only conviction folks come in with is an open mind and we are confident that the only record they will leave with is an impression of the realities of prison life," Mr. Schiedler concluded. "These inmates’ parole orders will include reporting home and sharing their new-found, first-hand knowledge."
A large number of Cell-In spots are being held for the general public and are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. All requests to participate will be acknowledged. For more information, look on the Internet at http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/PUBAFF/2000news/cell-in.shtml or contact Kathy Moore at TRCI by calling 541-922-2037 or e-mail: kathy.l.moore@state.or.us. Cell-In participants must be over 18 years old; under 18’s are welcome to tour the prison with an adult.
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