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.

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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.
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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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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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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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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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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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