On the Edge of Your Seat

Powder River Correctional Facility’s First Chess Tournament

Ms. Geddes makes the honorary opening move in the Championship game with AIC Cara vs. AIC Scalera

The first of hopefully many chess tournaments to be hosted for our AICs, concluded Saturday! AIC Cara took the top seat, beating out AIC Scalera in the championship game.

The tournament brought 13 participants together in the double elimination contest. Players had 15 minutes on their game clocks and would receive a 2 second bonus for each move. In total 32 games were played to complete the bracket.

To start things off one contestant would hold a pawn of each color, one in each hand. While his opponent would pick a hand to determine which pieces each would play for their game.

AIC Scalera finished in second place. AIC Scalera had faced off against AIC Cara in the semi-finals, losing a very competitive game, but won out to face him again in the finals.

AIC Peterson came in 3rd place, having fought back from an early loss in the opening rounds Friday. He started out Saturday with quick impressive wins over AIC Yaw and AIC Jackson.

PRCF started its chess club back in October named “en Passant,” a French expression meaning “in passing,” and is a unique rule in chess. The name was chosen as we recognize these AICs are “in passing” through PRCF.

The club goal is to take concepts in the game, such as, thinking of consequences before you move, and applying that in their own lives. We look forward to hosting the next tournament hopefully in July.

Powder River Gives Back Through Gift Bags

Adults in custody (AICs) housed at Powder River Correctional Facility (PRCF) raised over $1,300 this year for the institution’s Annual “Gift Bag/Give Back” event, which provides personal hygiene items, clothing, and gift cards to individuals in crisis in Baker City and the surrounding community. PRCF partnered with the local Sheriff’s Department to purchase Subway, McDonald’s, and Albertson’s gift cards for deputies to hand out to those in need. The donated cards included an attached note stating they were provided by an AIC at Powder River.

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Powder River Walks for Suicide Prevention

Participants wore signs representing their motivation for walking in the event.

On June 28, Powder River Correctional Facility (PRCF) in Baker City held its very first Suicide Prevention Walk. Around 150 people participated in the walk, including adults in custody (AICs), institution staff, and contractors. Considering that Powder River is a fairly small facility, this is an incredible turnout!

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Powder River Gives Back to Baker City Community

Adults in custody (AICs) housed at Powder River Correctional Facility are encouraged to give back to the community that has graciously allowed the facility to operate inside the city limits for the past 30 years.

Powder River adults in custody stand with the results of the fundraiser!

For the month of March, AICs held a fundraiser that raised nearly $700. This money was used to purchase items for three different local organizations: New Directions Northwest Crisis Center, DHS Child Welfare and the Mayday Foundation. Each organization received care packages, including toys, books, personal hygiene items, Albertson’s gift cards, Subway gift cards, and children’s clothing. AIC Zaste, who participated in the fundraiser, expressed that “as people who are able, it is our duty to help those that are in need. I want these children to know that there are people in this world who care.”

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Powder River Washes Up

A progress picture of the shower area
The completed shower area

Everyone loves a good before and after! The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) Facilities Services Division recently undertook a shower and restroom renovation project at Powder River Correctional Facility (PRCF) with the help of the PRCF Physical Plant and the PRCF Inmate Work Force (IWF).

Adults in custody (AICs) from the Powder River IWF were interviewed for special work skills, including basic construction and concrete experience. Ten AICs were picked to work on the second part of the upgrade, which took almost 20 weeks to complete.

The project included designs for an enhanced floor drainage system, fiberglass reinforced wall coatings, and new water- and mold-resistant wall board. All AIC showers and restrooms at PRCF have now been upgraded with the same design. The IWF adults in custody were instrumental, not only in the labor force, but in their team work and commitment. Paired with leadership from Facilities Services, this project was a huge success!

To top it all off, the project was created ahead of schedule. Way to go guys!