Adult in Custody Desserrey Cheney poses with her award certificate
This quarter’s STAR award, given to a Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) DMV agent for outstanding work at the call center, was presented to Desserrey Cheney. Cheney is an adult in custody (AIC) at Coffee Creek, and her role as a DMV call center agent is made possible by the Oregon Department of Correction’s (DOC) partnership with Oregon Corrections Enterprises.
This article was written by Adult in Custody Todd Davilla and edited by the Oregon DOC Office of Communications for clarity.
An AIC’s Opportunity to Connect with the Community
In 2016, Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE) launched a new business unit focused on providing marketing design services. This marketing design unit began with a single adult in custody (AIC) designer, but has grown to a team of five over the past three years. The AIC designers create graphics and layouts for print and digital media, as well as design logos and branding, and create photo realistic 3D renderings and animations. The designers use current industry-standard software like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and 3ds Max.
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility’s (CCCF) cosmetology program is about more than manicures and dye jobs. For many of the women incarcerated at CCCF, the program is the first step in making a better life for themselves. Whether they are training in the Hair Design program or having tattoos removed that remind them of a painful past, the program offers hope for a brighter future.
The messages below were submitted by three adults in custody (AICs) at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility who have experience with the cosmetology program. They have been edited for clarity by the Oregon DOC Office of Communications.
One little boy couldn’t believe his eyes when Santa walked in to the visiting room at SCI
Santiam Correctional Institution (SCI) once again celebrated a successful family Christmas event on the evening of December 12, 2019. Nearly 40 adults in custody (AICs) were able to participate in the event this year, and 65 children joined in the fun with their chaperones bringing the total number of participants up to 137!
This article was written by Tonya Gushard, a Public Information Officer and employee at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon. It has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Behind these walls we are one community. OUR community. The community we call the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Our community consists of over 350 employees, over 2,000 adults in our care and custody (AICs), and hundreds of volunteers and contractors. The Oregon Department of Corrections’ mission is to hold offenders accountable for their actions and reduce the risk of future criminal behavior, but it is our passion to create a safe and healthy environment, with the responsibility of creating better neighbors where positive and pro-social change occurs. A place where people will become healthy, productive, and contributing members of society.
On Friday, December 6, 2019 graduates of the Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) GED program walked in a commencement ceremony at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) and were recognized for their accomplishments.
Did you know the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) has a number of initiatives to keep the agency sustainable and protect the environment? From planting native species to recycling old denim, DOC has some exciting sustainability updates to share.
On Friday, November 22, adults in custody (AICs) at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) were able to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal with their loved ones. The event included all of the traditional goodies: turkey, cranberry sauce, and lots of tasty pumpkin pie.
A total of 34 AICs attended this event with 80 of their family members. DRCI staff and AICs expressed gratitude for all of the support and positivity that was present at this traditional celebration. Please enjoy the slideshow of photos below. So many beautiful smiles!
Two of the artists pose with one of the DMV call center murals
This article was written by agents at the Customer Assistance Call Center located at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) and modified for the DOC blog. The agents, who are all incarcerated at Coffee Creek, hope there is a shared enjoyment when reading about their journey and the artwork it produced.
The mural that started it all
The journey of the murals began when the DMV Coffee Creek Call Center (CCCC) was preparing to celebrate 30 years of success as part of the Customer Assistance team. The team floated many ideas for the theme and decorations, but ultimately the final decision was made by vote. The result: a bridge, linking CCCC with the larger DMV operations and the slogan, “Driving the bridge to success for 30 years.” Spanning the bridge is a vehicle for every CCCC agent, with salmon swimming in the river below. Decorated with paper, colored pencils, crayola markers, kindergarten scissors, and tape, this became the team’s first mural, and remained up (with facility approval) for an entire year.