The 7 Habits on the Inside: Advancing The Oregon Way at Warner Creek

In 2025, the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) integrated The 7 Habits on the Inside into The Oregon Way, building on a model first launched by the Colorado Department of Corrections in 1998.

Colorado has since graduated more than 10,000 adults in custody and staff members, implementing the program in nearly all of its facilities and establishing designated units for graduates. Long-term data from Colorado indicates the program creates a shared language between staff and incarcerated individuals, helping reduce the traditional “us versus them” dynamic and strengthening institutional culture.

The program was later introduced at Fort Leavenworth, the U.S. military’s only maximum-security prison. Leaders there noted its strong impact in helping both staff and military offenders adopt a common framework centered on accountability and responsibility. Data presented in 2018 showed promising post-release outcomes, including a minimal return rate among graduates released on parole.

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Trades That Transform

Joedy Marlatt, an electrician at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI), has helped hundreds of adults in custody complete Registered Apprenticeship programs while incarcerated.

Joedy Marlatt, DOC Supervising Electrician, and Brian Crise, Electrical Program Chief, Building Codes Division.

Most recently, his apprentice Tariq Knapper earned a perfect score on his Limited Energy Technician license exam — the final step in the program. When Joedy shared the news, Knapper said that with his license and training, he was set up for success after release. He couldn’t wait to call his grandmother. Joedy remembers when Knapper first started at the Plant and couldn’t identify basic tools.

Another former apprentice from the Boiler Operator Program, now released and off probation, regularly sends photos of his check stubs to Joedy and his journey-level worker as a thank you. This time, he said, he left prison with a clear plan — determined to secure employment and rebuild his relationship with his daughter without delay.

Joedy keeps books filled with letters from past apprentices — expressions of gratitude and testimonials about how apprenticeship and teamwork at the Physical Plant helped them grow and change while mastering a trade. One apprentice wrote, “You taught me what it means to be a man.”

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The Oregon Way – Building Safer, Stronger Institutions

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.

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Strengthen Bonds – Dads4Life Kids Camp at Snake River

The Dads4Life program at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) was created to support incarcerated fathers and their children, helping to repair and strengthen the critical parent-child relationship while also creating positive connections with the child’s caregiver. At SRCI, the bond between father and child is a high priority, valued both by families and the Oregon Department of Corrections.

This year marked the 12th year of the Dads4Life program and the 9th Kids Camp, designed to give children and their fathers two full days together, filled with fun activities, shared meals, and meaningful one-on-one time. These moments allow dads and kids to reconnect, while caregivers enjoy a chance to relax, bond with other caregivers, and share experiences.

This year, eight families with 19 children participated in Kids Camp. The Ontario Church of the Nazarene generously hosted the opening BBQ and festivities, providing support with housing, transportation, food, and donations to ensure every family had quality time together.

The two-day camp was packed with activities for all ages, including crafts, beading, face painting, airplane races, derby cars, sports, karaoke, games, movies, mindfulness exercises, snacks, and shared meals. Each dad had the opportunity for special one-on-one moments with every child, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

From laughter and play to conversations and connections, the 2025 Kids Camp was a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone involved. It’s a wonderful reminder that even in challenging circumstances, the bonds of family can be nurtured, strengthened, and celebrated.

Game On – DRCI’s New Field Is Here

What was once a dusty, uneven patch of ground at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution is now well on its way to becoming a vibrant softball and soccer field.

In summer 2024, DRCI set out to transform its lower yard from a worn, unsafe space into a safe, welcoming recreation area.

Fortunately, DRCI has one of the best physical plant teams in the state—maybe even the world. With careful planning, countless phone calls, and a dedicated crew of volunteer AICs, the team cleared the yard of grass and potholes in fall 2024. Over the winter, they worked closely with vendors and paving companies to line up equipment and materials.

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Fishing, Family, and Fresh Starts

How much is a day of fishing worth?

At Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI), the answer is simple: priceless.

SRCI staff and adults in custody (AICs) were honored to take part in a special kids’ fishing event at Bully Creek Reservoir. Families came together to spend the day reeling in fish, sharing a hearty lunch, playing games, drying out wet socks, sneaking in a nap or two, and most importantly, making memories that strengthened family bonds.

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Honoring the Bond – Unity and Hope Behind the Walls of OSP

The Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) Veterans Association recently hosted an impactful event focused on the strength of veterans supporting one another—both inside and outside the walls. The gathering brought together incarcerated veterans, leaders from the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) and Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA), and several community organizations committed to veteran support.

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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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