For more than three years, the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) and U-PACT Oregon have worked together to create something bigger than a training program: a pathway to a different future. Through hands-on learning, skill development and direct connections to registered apprenticeships, U-PACT has helped adults in custody prepare for meaningful careers beyond incarceration. Across three DOC facilities, 139 participants have completed the program, with 41 going on to enter registered apprenticeships, a powerful reflection of what can happen when opportunity, determination and partnership come together.
Continue reading “From Incarceration to Apprenticeship”Tag: adults in custody
A New Chapter in IMU Programming
At Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI), a new approach to programming is opening doors to growth, accountability, and positive change.
This spring, staff in the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) reached an important milestone by facilitating their first, in-person programming class. While IMU programming has traditionally been delivered cell-side, this new approach created an opportunity for participants to learn, engage, and grow together in a structured classroom setting.
The five-week course, Rational Thinking, was led by Special Housing Unit (SHU) Program Coordinators Grootfaam, Miller, and Vokral. Part of The Change Company’s Challenge Curriculum, the program helps participants examine how their thoughts influence behavior, recognize high-risk thinking patterns, and develop practical decision-making skills.
Continue reading “A New Chapter in IMU Programming”Through the Eyes of an AIC
Hello, my name is Jorge Serrano, and I am part of the Oregon Corrections Enterprises Braille Program at Oregon State Penitentiary with the aspiration of becoming a certified braille transcriber.
Prior to this program, I had no idea that there was a dynamic way for me to have a positive influence in my community—even behind bars.
Similar to most people, braille transcription didn’t even cross my mind. For the first six years of my incarceration, I was unproductive; I found my job as a kitchen linebacker unsatisfying and worried about what I would do upon my release from prison. It’s remarkable to reflect on the fact that I’ve done more in the past eight months (my time in the program) than in my entire seven years of incarceration.
When I initially read the ad in The Echo (prison newsletter), I felt like I could not only learn a transferable skill but, in the process, help a community that is often overlooked.
Continue reading “Through the Eyes of an AIC”
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.
Continue reading “The 7 Habits on the Inside: Advancing The Oregon Way at Warner Creek”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.
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.”
Continue reading “Trades That Transform”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.
Continue reading “The Oregon Way – Building Safer, Stronger Institutions”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.
Continue reading “Game On – DRCI’s New Field Is Here”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.
Continue reading “Fishing, Family, and Fresh Starts”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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