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DOC Frequently Asked Questions
Is offender info. online? What's DOC's business strategy
Sending mail to an inmate Acronyms for DOC
Visiting an inmate
How do inmate phones work
Inmates' trust acct. (money)
Finding a sex offender
Is offender info. online?
Is offender information available online?
The Oregon Offender Search (OOS) is a free public Web site that provides access to information on offenders in Oregon DOC custody. The Web site only displays information that is public in nature. To utilize OOS go to http://docpub.state.or.us/OOS.
 
In addition, limited offender information (including state prison and community corrections information) is available through the Oregon VINE service on the Internet at www.vinelink.com. Select the State of Oregon and search by offender name or SID#  (state offender ID number).  VINELink provides offender name, date of birth, custody status and location.  You may also register for notification of any changes in an offender's custody status at this site or by calling 1-877-674-8463. 

Sending mail to an inmate
 

Caution:
 
Incarcerated felons throughout the country, including some Oregon inmates, often solicit pen pals through correspondence.
 
There are inherent risks in becoming involved with incarcerated felons. Many well-meaning members of the public have been exposed to fraud and other criminal activity through correspondence with inmates. Should you have questions or concerns about solicitations for contact with an inmate, please contact the Oregon Department of Corrections at 503-945-9090 or .
 
 
How do I send mail to an inmate?
 
When mailing to an inmate, please make sure:
If you have questions regarding inmate mail, they should first be directed to the mailroom at the institution where the person is located.
 
For more information on mail, check out the administrative rule at: http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_200/OAR_291/291_131.html

Visiting an inmate
How do I visit an inmate?
 
Only people on an inmate´s visiting list may visit. Each inmate has a visiting list and it is he/she who takes the first step in putting someone on the list. More information about visiting is available on the Internet at OAR Div 127 Visiting (Inmate).
 
Visiting hours for each prison are posted on the Internet. Please go to Prisons and select the prison you are interested in visiting from the list.
 

How do inmate phones work
How the inmate telephone system (ITS) works and general information click here
 
Questions and answers about the inmate telephone system click here

Inmates' trust acct. (money)
How to deposit money in an inmate´s account
 
Funds may be placed on an inmate’s Central Trust account with either a money order or cashier’s check (note, we do not accept checks issued from bank bill pay service.)
The Department of Corrections cannot accept cash or personal checks.
 
1. Make the money order/cashier’s check payable to: "DOC," with the inmate’s name and SID number.
 
Example:
Payable to: DOC for John Doe, SID #1234567.
 
On the money order/cashier’s, check you must write the name and mailing address of purchaser, including city, state, and zip code.  PLEASE NOTE: This information must be legible or your item will be returned.
 
-and-
 
2. Mail the money order/cashier’s check to:
 
Central Trust
Oregon Department of Corrections
PO Box 14400
Salem, OR 97309-5077
 
The money will be put in the inmate’s account upon receipt through the mail.
 
-or-
 
2. Hand carry the money order or cashier’s check to:
 
DomeBuilding(Building #36)
2575 Center Street NE
Salem
, Oregon 97301-4667
 
The Dome Building is located on the corner of 23rd Street (across from Salem Rehabilitation Hospital) and Center Street (across from the main building of Oregon State Hospital) on the State Hospital campus.

Please do not include any letters or other personal items to the inmate in the envelope that you use to mail the money order/cashier’s check. Letters, cards and/or pictures cannot be accepted and will be discarded.
 
 

Finding a sex offender
How can I find out if someone is a registered sex offender?
The Oregon State Police maintains a registry of sex offenders. ORS 181.592 authorizes the Oregon State Police to make information about registered sex offenders available to the public. ORS 181.592(4)(c) authorizes the release of information on certain sex offenders to be posted on a public web site.  The link to that site is http://sexoffenders.oregon.gov/  
 
You may call their Sex Offender Registration Unit at (503) 378-3720 and ask for a list of sex offenders. You will be sent to a voice mail box. You must leave your name, address and the zip code of the area for which you are requesting a list, and they will mail to you the appropriate list. They usually respond within a day.
 
Also, to find out if the person with whom you have concern is currently under supervision, contact the local county Community Corrections office.

What's DOC's business strategy
What is the Oregon Department of Corrections' business strategy?
 
The Oregon Accountability Model  (OAM) which has the ultimate goal of improving public safety.  The model ties together many concurrent and interralated efforts of the Department of Corrections and its partners into a cohesive strategy to reduce recidivism and influence inmates into becoming productive citizens.  The six components of the OAM are:  criminal risk factor assessment and case planning, staff-inmate interactions, work and programs, children and families, re-entry, and community supervision and programs.

Acronyms for DOC
Acronyms for Department of Corrections pdf image
 
Page updated: March 16, 2009

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