The Oregon Way, an Oregon Department of Corrections initiative, continues to deliver meaningful improvements in staff wellness, institutional safety, and adult in custody (AIC) outcomes across multiple facilities. Through Dynamic Security and normalization practices, teams are seeing measurable operational and cultural benefits that are strengthening institutions systemwide.
Across participating facilities, The Oregon Way is helping teams move from reactive responses to proactive engagement. The result is a safer environment for staff, stronger operations, and more positive outcomes for adults in custody.
Strong Systemwide Results
- Facilities are reporting improvements that support both day-to-day operations and long-term culture change. These results reflect a consistent shift towards positive engagement.
- Reduced use of suicide watches and fewer uses of force, leading to a more supportive and humane environment for individuals in crisis situations.
- Improved staff morale and job satisfaction by a collaborative work environment, increased productivity and efficiency, improving communication between staff and management.
- Enhanced pro-social engagement and increased out-of-cell time, creating a supportive environment that encourages positive interactions among individuals while simultaneously promoting mental well-being through improved social dynamics.
- Improved transitions from restrictive housing, ensuring that individuals are better supported during their move to new living environments where they can experience greater independence and community integration.
In addition to safety and wellness improvements, The Oregon Way delivers measurable operational value. Facilities reported tangible efficiency gains that support both staffing and budget priorities. Teams avoided 961 overtime hours, resulting in an estimated $51,605 in cost savings. Facilities also reported improved efficiency through reduced rollups and paperwork, along with more engagement that reduced the need for reactive responses.
Positive Outcomes for Adults in Custody
The program is also driving improved outcomes for adults in custody across multiple facilities. These results demonstrate how structured engagement supports accountability, and positive behavior:
The program is driving significant improvements for adults in custody across multiple facilities. Demonstrating the impact of normalization and structured engagement, the results reveal a remarkable 88% success rate for new admissions at Snake River Correctional Institution and a notable 78% program completion rate at the Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI), accompanied by significant reductions in misconducts. Additionally, successful transitions to less restrictive housing have been observed, further showing the effectiveness of these initiatives. Increased structure, and regular pro-social activities continue to promote accountability, change, and positive behavior, showcasing the program’s comprehensive and transformative impact.
What This Looks Like in Action
Across facilities with active Support Teams, we have seen consistent improvements in AIC outcomes, including more positive communication, stronger engagement, and improved behavior patterns among AICs working with these teams. This type of progress reflects the value of the teams’ work, supports continued engagement, and aligns with Oregon Way principles by highlighting positive, relationship-based practices.
At Two Rivers Correctional Institution, AICs participated in outdoor programming for the first time in 25 years, a meaningful step toward normalization and engagement. At OSCI, post-program misconduct dropped from 30 to 1 for a participating individual, demonstrating the program’s impact on behavior and accountability. At Columbia River Correctional Institution, participants reported improved emotional regulation, accountability, and engagement. And at the Oregon State Penitentiary, teams supported successful transitions and increased engagement through structured activities that reinforced positive routines and expectations.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Building on these results, focus areas for 2026 will continue to strengthen and expand The Oregon Way in multiple ways, including expanding documentation of early interventions, scaling high-performance models across facilities, continuing Dynamic Security training, and standardizing outcome tracking to strengthen reporting and sustainability.
The Oregon Way reflects DOC’s commitment to safety, professionalism, and positive institutional culture. These results demonstrate how proactive engagement and normalization practices are supporting both staff and adults in custody — while strengthening operations systemwide.
