Author: Nickie Basinger - DOC Office of Communications

Shutter Creek Forestry Crews Tackle Storm Debris

Adults in custody clean up after storms in Douglas County

Adult in custody (AIC) forestry crews out of Shutter Creek Correctional Institution recently helped re-open roadways to local residents after storm debris blocked travel. In just three days, these crews cleared and opened approximately 75 miles of state and country roads, including Highway 38 and 138 – a huge accomplishment!

The debris had left residents in the Scottsburg and Ash Valley areas unable to travel in and out of their own homes. In the image above, AICs on Lutsinger Road in Scottsburg were able to clear the road for about 15 homes that were blocked off.

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) coordinated with the Oregon Department of Public Transportation (ODOT), Doublad County Public Works Department, and the Coos Forest Protective Association to make this clean-up happen.

Powder River Washes Up

  • A progress picture of the shower area
  • The completed shower area

Everyone loves a good before and after! The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) Facilities Services Division recently undertook a shower and restroom renovation project at Powder River Correctional Facility (PRCF) with the help of the PRCF Physical Plant and the PRCF Inmate Work Force (IWF).

Adults in custody (AICs) from the Powder River IWF were interviewed for special work skills, including basic construction and concrete experience. Ten AICs were picked to work on the second part of the upgrade, which took almost 20 weeks to complete.

The project included designs for an enhanced floor drainage system, fiberglass reinforced wall coatings, and new water- and mold-resistant wall board. All AIC showers and restrooms at PRCF have now been upgraded with the same design. The IWF adults in custody were instrumental, not only in the labor force, but in their team work and commitment. Paired with leadership from Facilities Services, this project was a huge success!

To top it all off, the project was created ahead of schedule. Way to go guys!

Turning Tassels at Santiam Correctional Institution

Sixteen adults in custody at Santiam Correctional Institution (SCI) received their GED degrees today as part of the facility’s winter graduation commencement ceremony. The GED program is made possible through a partnership with Chemeketa Community College’s Corrections Education department.

Adults in custody stand in cap in gown at the recent commencement ceremony

Jordan Bermingham, Director of Corrections Education at Chemeketa, spoke to the graduates, along with Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) facilitators, tutors, and students. Chemeketa enrolls between 200 and 350 students in English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and the GED programs – not only at SCI but also at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP), and Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI).

Chemeketa provides additional education opportunities to around 125 adults in custody. The programs include an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree, an Automatic Technology degree, and a CAD certification.

This incredible opportunity gives adults in custody the opportunity to teach as well as learn! The GED program is taught by inmate tutors and instruction is provided in both one-on-one settings and in groups, with a class size average of 15 students. Education Coordinators work with the tutors to develop curriculum.

Congratulations to the graduates!

Leveling Up at Coffee Creek

Say cheese! An AIC who levelled up poses for a picture.

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) has started a new event they are calling “Leveled Up.”  Leveled Up will happen monthly on the units to celebrate adults in custody (AICs) whose incentive level has increased in the last month becoming a level 2 or a 3!

AICs will be recognized within their communities by receiving a certificate, a free photo with their certificate, and a tasty bag of popcorn. Oregon DOC wants to celebrate AICs who work hard to make their community a safer place by having clear conduct. We are so excited by this new program at CCCF!

CCCF’s first round of recipients was awarded on Thursday 2/7/19. The next event will be 3/15 to celebrate those who leveled up in February.

When presented the award, it brought tears to some AICs and the acknowledgment was much appreciated. Some AICs are proudly sending their photo home to friends and family!

Congratulations to all of the recipients! This is truly an accomplishment to celebrate.

Pow Wow at Shutter Creek

Shutter Creek Correctional Institution (SCCI) hosted its first ever Pow Wow for the Native American population! On December 8th, 2018, 25 adults in custody (AICs) participated in the celebration along with 50 family, friends, and guests from the community. The gathering was opened with a grand entry of the flags by adults in custody and guests in traditional regalia. The Pow Wow was celebrated with prayers, drumming, dancing, and sharing.

  • Grand entry
  • Hand-painted gifts for participants

As a gift for each participant, members of SCCI’s circle designed and painted rocks with bright colors and traditional artwork to commemorate the evening. Thanks to generous community donations, the participants were able to have a wonderful meal of traditional foods, such as buffalo, salmon, steelhead, and fry bread while they celebrated.

This memorable event is possible thanks to the support of Trish Jordan with Red Lodge Transition Services; Volunteer Galen Black; the Coquille Indian Tribe; the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians; and the Native American Cultural Association of Oregon for their support of the Native American population at Shutter Creek.

SCCI can’t wait for their next Pow Wow!