Oregon’s Corrections System: A Call for Reform and Support

As your State Representative and a long-time advocate for public safety, I recently had the opportunity to  visit Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and meet with the Association of Oregon Corrections Employees  (AOCE). These experiences have reinforced my belief in the critical role our correctional facilities play in  maintaining public safety and rehabilitating offenders. However, they have also highlighted urgent issues  that demand our immediate attention. 

During my visit to Coffee Creek, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by both staff and inmates.  Staff morale is at an all-time low, with widespread turnover threatening the facility’s stability. This affects  the dedicated professionals working tirelessly to keep our communities safe and the inmates under state care. 

The facility is grappling with frequent lockdowns – occurring up to three times a week – which severely  restrict inmate movement and access to essential programs. This approach contradicts the very mission of the Oregon Department of Corrections, which aims to rehabilitate rather than merely warehouse inmates. 

It’s clear to me that we must focus on the following in order to make our justice system more fair. 

1. Staff Support and Retention: We must prioritize enhancing hiring practices and improving retention rates. This includes considering the rehiring of retirees on a part-time basis to alleviate staffing shortages. 

2. Training and Career Advancement: It’s crucial to return to having the Department of Public Safety  Standards and Training provide comprehensive training for state corrections officers, ensuring they are  paid during this period. Additionally, we should explore creating a path for corrections officers to gain  expanded authority within facility grounds, enhancing their ability to maintain order and safety. 

3. Overtime Management: We need to implement strategies to reduce the overtime burden on our  corrections staff, which contributes to burnout and turnover. The key elements are hiring more staff and  making pay and benefits commensurate with compensation at local corrections facilities 

4. Task Force Evaluation: I have requested legislation to establish a task force that will thoroughly  evaluate the operation of Oregon’s state corrections facilities, with a focus on staffing and the issues mentioned above. 

Our correctional facilities are the backbone of our public safety infrastructure. They play a crucial role in  keeping our communities safe by ensuring offenders serve their sentences and receive the rehabilitation  they need to reintegrate into society successfully. The current challenges at Coffee Creek and other  facilities undermine this vital mission. 

As we work towards reform, we must also address the issue of “catch and release” practices that put our  communities at risk. I have requested legislation similar to HB 2135 from the 2023 session to tackle this  problem head-on. 

As your State Representative, I pledge to continue fighting for the reforms our corrections system  desperately needs. The safety of our communities and the well-being of those who work tirelessly to  maintain it depend on our actions. Let us work together to build a corrections system that not only keeps our streets safe but also provides genuine opportunities for rehabilitation and growth.