Adopt-A-Highway Journey at South Fork Forest Camp

South Fork Forest Camp started their Adopt-A-Highway Journey with a small 2.25 mile section of HWY 6. The adults in custody (AIC) would walk both sides of the highway, cleaning up litter. Not only did they take on cleaning up the litter as a challenging pursuit, but they also found the work very rewarding after seeing the impact of their efforts.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) noticed the litter cleanup efforts and the impacts it had on the section of the highway and agreed to allow the AIC crews to take on cleaning up the majority of HWY 6 – which is approximately 52 miles long. The AICs would walk roughly 10 miles per day! One day of picking trash, resulted in filling up a 10-yard dumpster with debris.

Continue reading →

Coffee Creek DMV Agents Express Themselves Through Art

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 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.

Continue reading →

Shutter Creek Forestry Crews Tackle Storm Debris

Adults in custody clean up after storms in Douglas County

Adult in custody (AIC) forestry crews out of Shutter Creek Correctional Institution recently helped re-open roadways to local residents after storm debris blocked travel. In just three days, these crews cleared and opened approximately 75 miles of state and country roads, including Highway 38 and 138 – a huge accomplishment!

The debris had left residents in the Scottsburg and Ash Valley areas unable to travel in and out of their own homes. In the image above, AICs on Lutsinger Road in Scottsburg were able to clear the road for about 15 homes that were blocked off.

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) coordinated with the Oregon Department of Public Transportation (ODOT), Doublad County Public Works Department, and the Coos Forest Protective Association to make this clean-up happen.