Hope, Growth, and U-PACT

The Ironworkers Local 29, Bricklayers Local 1, and Cement Masons Local 555, partnering with the Union Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (U-PACT) program, offer a 12-week training to the men at South Fork Forest Camp.

U-PACT Oregon is a pre-apprenticeship program designed to provide basic to intermediate trade skills to adults in custody that will prepare them for a career in one of the three represented trades, reduce recidivism, and positively impact Oregon’s economy.

U-PACT Oregon participants take part in a fast-paced classroom and hands-on pre-apprenticeship program. They earn their OSHA 10 card and receive training in various trade-specific topics, as well as various life skills that will prepare them for a successful career and future outside of prison.

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A Path to Change: Timothy Coulter’s Story of Growth and Support

The Contact Officer Support Program, aligned with the principles of the Oregon Way, was designed to equip staff at Columbia River Correctional Institution with additional training, resources, and decision-making authority to better support incarcerated individuals. By creating strong, positive relationships, the program helps create a safer and more stable environment, encouraging personal growth and success.

For adult in custody (AIC) Timothy Coulter, this support had a lasting impact. With guidance from dedicated Contact Officers, he found the encouragement and opportunities needed to turn challenges into success. Timothy recently graduated from the program and was invited to share his thoughts on what the program meant to him and the difference it made in his life.

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Rewriting the Narrative of Mental Health in Prison

When we think about incarcerated individuals, the hope is that upon release, they don’t return to prison. But if they do, it’s as an asset to their community, not as an adult in custody (AIC). Martin Lockett, a former AIC who served 17 years in prison, is a powerful example of this transformation. After his release, he returned to the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC)—not as an AIC, but as the Director of Cultural Engagement for Lines for Life.

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A Game of Second Chances

Brett Hollins: Founder of the Side Door Foundation

In early October, an unlikely basketball game took place between Snake River Correctional Institution’s (SRCI) Select Team, made up of all adults in custody (AICs), and the Side Door Foundation, which includes former AICs, G-League players, and former college athletes.

The Side Door Foundation is a dedicated non-profit organization focused on providing opportunities for athletic and academic achievement. Its mission aims to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation and reintegration for those who are currently or formerly incarcerated.

Brett Hollins, the foundation’s founder, along with Drew Dukeshire, the Program Coordinator, both share a personal history as former AICs who have spent time at SRCI. Mr. Hollins reached out to DOC, requesting the opportunity to give back to the AIC population at SRCI by organizing a basketball game. His vision is to change the stigma surrounding incarceration while transforming individual lives and helping to support long-term success for those reentering society. Through the Side Door Foundation, Brett is not just giving back—he’s forging a path forward for countless others.

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Celebrating Dedication – Steve Toth Named Chaplain of the Year

Left to right: Religious Service Manager Miguel Melendez, Chaplain of the Year Steve Toth, and Religious Service Administrator Daryl Borello.

Recently, the Chaplain of the Year award was presented to Steve Toth from Snake River Correctional Institution. Many, if not all, Chaplains within the Religious Service Unit go above and beyond their job descriptions to enhance the lives of the adults in custody they serve. This Unit Specific Award recognizes at least one of these dedicated Chaplains each year for their exceptional service to the Religious Service Unit, their facility, the adults in custody, the Oregon Department of Corrections, and the public.

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“Lettuce Grow” at OSP

Through the collaborative efforts of the Asian Pacific Family Club and the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), Lettuce Grow is now providing multiple gardening programs for adults in custody (AICs) at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP). Lettuce Grow is part of a non-profit organization called Growing Gardens. The relationship between Lettuce Grow and DOC began in 2009. Through their joint efforts, DOC has been able to grow between 200,000 and 300,000 pounds of food each year. An astonishing 95 percent of this food goes into the prisons’ kitchens, while over 10,000 pounds are donated to food banks and community organizations across the state. As of 2024, Lettuce Grow provides various levels of educational gardening programs in every correctional institution in Oregon.

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From Isolation to Integration

OSP’s Resource Team Success

The Oregon Department of Corrections is thrilled to share some outstanding news about the Oregon State Penitentiary’s (OSP) Resource Team and their transformative work with the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and Mental Health Infirmary (MHI).

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Driving Recovery

Warner Creek Car and Bike Show

Recently, Warner Creek Correctional Facility (WCCF) hosted its annual Car and Bike Show, which featured an Enhanced Visit, bringing together adults in custody (AICs) with their families and friends. This year’s event showcased inspiring participation from several community-focused groups dedicated to supporting recovery and reentry.

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From Darkness to Sight

In Her Own Words: Jade’s Journey

Hello, my name is Jade Jensen. I’ve been in custody here at Coffee Creek for about 5 years now. I am finishing my second year in the Coffee Creek Paraoptometric program and have spent the last year as the tutor.

A little about me, I grew up in a very small home, in a small town where everybody knew everybody. The store clerks knew the names of every child that would come into the store. All the kids knew the name of the fire chief at the fire station and the entire town joined in at the school Christmas carnival.

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Hook, Line, and Smiles – An Unusual Fishing Hole

Did you ever think it was possible to bring the great outdoors inside the walls of a maximum-security prison? Thanks to a partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Association of Northwest Steelheaders (Mid-Valley chapter), the Correctional Counseling staff at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) did just that. They hosted a special two-day fishing event in the OSP visiting yard for incarcerated dads and their families, offering a unique opportunity to learn about aquatic ecosystems.

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