oregon department of corrections...

CC Directors’ Message

orrectionsorrections onnectionsonnections CC OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

On the Inside

Pg 2: 2010 Director’s Award

Pg 3: NC4RSO—Making a Difference Award

Pg 4: TRCI Toy Drive

Pg 5: CPOF Golf Tournament & March is Financial Literacy Month

Pg 6: Nothing like a proud father

Pg 7 & 8: Animal Assisted Activity (AAA)

Pg 8: EOCI Toys for Tots Program

Pg 9: CCCF 2011 Charitable Fund Drive Tricycle Races

Pg 10: Apply for the Susan H. Hunter Scholarship

Pg 11: Published Author Chaplain Haefer

Pg 12: The SHYBar

Pg 13: Military Leave

VOLUME V, ISSUE I M A RC H 2 0 1 2

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To promote public safety by holding offenders accountable for their actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior.

With the 2012 Legislative Session behind us, we know our agency must address an additional reduction of $7.8M for the remainder of the 2011-13 biennium. The budget instructions state no prison closures and no reductions to Community Corrections grants. The next step occurs in May when we will report back to the Legislative Emergency Board with reduction strategies to meet the $7.8M. We will continue to communicate with all staff as we learn more. Deputy Director Morrow and I look forward to continuing the good work of Max Williams and the Department’s Policy Group. I am committed to our mission, advancing the principles of the Oregon Accountability Model (OAM) and continuing to grow and implement Correctional Case Management (CCM). Policy Group will begin strategic planning conversations and will look for efficiencies and ways to align the Department’s resources to better implement the OAM and accomplish our mission. I am also committed to principled leadership, open and transparent communication and building connections among our many stakeholders in order to be an effective advocate for Oregon’s public safety system. From my previous experience at DOC, I know that the Department is filled with people who are dedicated to, and working hard to achieve our mission. We look forward to visiting all of the institutions and worksites over the coming months and working with all of you to achieve DOC’s mission. Thank you for all you do every day. Sincerely,

Colette S. Peters Mitch Morrow

V O L U M E V , I S S U E I M A RC H 2 0 1 2

2 2010 Director’s Award, Max Arvidson of SRCI

What can I do to help? Turns out Max Arvidson had the answer, Adopt a Soldier. While Max Arvidson is a Corrections Officer at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) and a member of the Department’s Honor Guard, he is also a Lieutenant Commander of the Army National Guard. Officer Arvidson would like us all to support our troops and keep up morale while these brave men and women are deployed. He set up the Adopt a Soldier Program with the Ontario Veterans Advo-cate Center. The project links members of the community and SRCI staff with deployed military members, essentially becoming pen-pals sending letters, care packages and hope from back home. Many programs are set up to send a let-ter addressed to “Any Soldier.” While receiving this mail is very much appre-ciated by all soldiers, receiving a per-sonal letter from someone back home means something else entirely. Over 145 soldiers have been adopted, with at least 20 of them by SRCI staff. Officer Arvidson embodies the Army Values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. The Army Values are traits that all Americans should strive to uphold, for they form the foundation of a good citizen, one who is dedicated to the security of his country and the wel-fare of his fellow Americans. We are lucky to have such a man be part of our team.

Director Max Williams presenting Corrections Officer Max Arvidson with

his 2010 Director’s Award.

CO Arvidson wasn’t present for the award ceremonies in May as he was out

on military leave.


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NC4RSO—Making a Difference 2011 Award

The National Coalition of Community-Based Correctional and Community Reentry Service Organizations (NC4RSO) is a national coalition for community groups (primarily nonprofits) involved in jails, prisons, and community re-entry. “Our lives matter to the extent that we make a difference of others,” source unknown. Community organizations and individual volunteers work, often without much fanfare, to make a difference in jails and prisons throughout the U.S. Services provided by these groups and individuals range from academic tutoring and life-skills programming to self-help programs, family re-integration, arts activities, and community re-entry sup-port. While these community groups and individuals don’t al-ways get public recognition, they make a difference in the lives of current and formerly-incarcerated individuals. NC4RSO selects a volunteer annually to honor their correc-tions and reentry work. NC4RSO’s 2011 Making a Differ-ence Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Karen Bennett of Salem, Oregon.

Ms. Bennett spends up to four evenings per week running a crochet group at the Oregon State Correctional Institution. Her program is known as “Creative Arts Therapy - Crocheting 4 Community.” Crafted items – afghans, hats, scarves, and toys - are donated to groups such as battered women’s shel-ters, needy children, veterans, and hospitals. Ms. Bennett can be reached at (503) 339-7743 or mail-to:[email protected] (public donations of crochet supplies graciously accepted).


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TRCI Toy Drive

In December, staff at Two Rivers Cor-rectional Institution (TRCI) put a new twist on the annual State Agency Toy Drive. Donations were collected from the staff at the facility, roughly totaling $700, while AFSCME LOCAL 0974 made a generous donation of $300. One of the most important concerns from the staff was, ‘Where will the do-nated toys end up?’ The facility is too far from the capitol building to take all of the toys to the annual display and staff wanted to help the kids in their

own community. The collected toys were donated directly to the Salvation Army of Pendleton, which services Umatilla County. The twist was that inmates got involved in bettering the holidays for families in need. With approval from Superintendent Franke, Assistant Superintendent of Security Taylor, and Correctional Rehabil-itation Manager Myrick Officer Bogue and Sgt. Martin were allowed to go from unit to unit and ex-plain the fundraiser to the inmates of TRCI. Inmates were then given the opportunity to submit a CD-28 for any amount they wished to donate to the drive. “We received many donations ranging from a couple of cents to large dollar amounts.” said Officer Bogue. “Sgt. Martin and I were amazed with the generosity shown by the inmates; by the time we left each unit the inmates were all excited about the fundraiser and were grateful for the opportunity to do some good.” The inmates at TRCI donated over $1,600 to the toy drive. Visitors were also ap-proved to bring toys in to contribute to the toy drive. The TRCI Business Office was dedicated to ensuring all of the CD-28s were processed before the deadline. Even the central accounting office assisted in seeing that TRCI received their check in time to leave a few days to get the toy shopping done before their deadline. Officer Seefeldt was able to secure a generous contribution from the local Bi-Mart of 20% off of the toys he purchased for the toy drive with the union’s donation. Hermiston Wal-Mart was also kind enough to give TRCI a 10% discount on all of the toys purchased for the toy drive with the inmate contributions. All together, TRCI was able to donate about $2,500 worth of toys to the Pendleton Salvation Army “Toys for Joy” fundraiser. It took a whole community to make this fundraiser possible and TRCI would like to thank everyone who donated toys, money and their valuable time. Many families in Umatilla County had a much nicer holiday season because of this incredible generosity.


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CPOF Golf Tournament The Correctional Peace Officer Foundation (CPOF) is hosting the 3rd Annual Oregon Memorial Golf Tournament on August 18, 2012, at the Sandelie Golf Course in West Linn, Oregon. The tournament is open to the public and begins at 8:00 a.m. with a shotgun start. The proceeds from the tourna-ment will be used to support the families of our fallen officers who were killed in the line of duty. The entry fee is $300 per four man team, and the entry fee includes: 18 holes of golf, cart, tee prize and lunch provided by Famous Dave’s BBQ. There will also be door prizes and a complete program of special events like the longest drive contest, closest to the pin challenge, 50/50 chipping contest and the $10,000 hole-in-one shootout. The tournament will conclude with an awards banquet at 1:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, please send your completed team registration information, along with a check or money order by August 2, 2012 made payable to: Steve Perrine/CPOF 28146 SW Wilsonville, OR 97070 Fliers containing the registration form as well as more information on the tournament will be locat-ed in the staff break rooms.

You are eligible to participate in a FREE Financial Coaching program that will answer any financial questions or concerns you may have.

Get help analyzing and organizing your budget How to deal with your mortgage lender and other creditors Learn how to work with utilities and other services Make sure you’re on the right track for retirement Understanding COBRA, Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts

30 Days of One-on-One Financial Coaching Will… o Get You Out of Debt Fast o Provide a Credit Report Analysis to Help you Improve Your Credit

Score o Help You Develop a Spending Plan That Works for You o Get Retirement Planning Help with 401(k), 403(b) or 457 Plan Re-

views o Help You Understand Home Buying/Refinancing Strategies o Help You with Other Important Money Topics Contact Cascade EAP and ask to speak with a Financial Coach. 1-800-433-2320

March is Financial Literacy Month


6 Nothing like a proud father

On January 13, 2012, Richard Van Wert, son of DOC’s Community Development Coordinator Parrish Van Wert, graduated boot camp with 451 new Marines in San Diego. “We were extremely humbled to be a part of this incredible ceremony” said Van Wert. After a short return home, he will go to Camp Pendleton in California for combat training. Directly following that, he goes to school in Monterey where he will study for his job as a Cryptological Linguist. This particular job in the Marine Corps, Intelligence Department is very specialized and only a handful of Marines qualify. Van Wert commented that the average age of the 451 kids that graduated was 19. As they watched these volunteers become part of the solution, they were very proud that he along with these young men have dedicated their lives to uphold the Corps Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Above: Private First Class Richard Van Wert.

Left: Proud father Parrish Van Wert with son at the Family Day prior to

graduation, Marine Corps Recruit Depot MCRD in San Diego, CA


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Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) program at EOCI Meet Max, the newest member of the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) family. Max is an 11-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriev-er owned by EOCI Chaplain Lorinda Schwartz. He is friendly, outgoing, energetic and lovable. He will romp from one person to another seeking attention and, of course, petting. Studies have shown that interaction with animals reduc-es stress, increases motivational levels, promotes posi-tive interactions and increases pro-social behaviors in a wide range of settings. Research suggests that interac-tions between those who are incarcerated and animals improves social skills, increases the development of empathy and compassion, while reducing undesirable behaviors among offenders. Having a pet has physical benefits as well. People who have pets tend to have lower blood pressure and some medical experts claim that victims of heart attacks are three times more likely to survive if they are pet owners. Max is the inaugural member of a new Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) program at EOCI. Offenders will be encouraged to pet, play with and occasionally groom Max or just sit quietly while he is around them and, hopefully, reap the emotional and physical benefits. But Max is part of a larger concept being developed at EOCI. In institutional settings, people often feel isolated from the rest of the world, losing their sense of responsibility for themselves and others, and sometimes just a sense of belonging. EOCI is trying to address this problem through the Inmate Enrichment Program. This program is designed and intended to create interest in activities that are currently happening in the world outside of the prison setting. By involving inmates in the outside world and allowing interaction with presenters from the community, the program helps the inmates reestablish a sense of belonging to the community and an understanding of the people who will become their neighbors upon their release.

Continued on pg. 8


8 Continued from pg. 7

Oversight for the Animal Assisted Activity program is provided by an Enrichment Committee com-prised of EOCI employees. The purpose of the committee is to identify community members who have had experiences with, or knowledge of, events or activities from the outside world that they would like to share with the inmate population through educational workshops. The workshops provide inmates with a snapshot of what the rest of the world is experiencing while they are incarcer-ated. These shared experiences give the inmates exposure to current events in the outside world, de-velop interests in activities outside prison, assist with transition into society and help them to be pro-social neighbors in their communities. The ultimate goal of the Enrichment Program is to promote public safety in Oregon by addressing those factors that lead to recidivism—specifically leisure time activities and associates—facilitating individual growth by exposing inmates to cultural, educational, and informational opportunities, and introducing inmates to community role models. Many community volunteers from local businesses, state and federal agencies, area colleges and universities, and the general public have made presentations on subjects like: wolves, mountain li-ons, ghost towns in Oregon, overseas travel, horticulture, cowboy poetry and yoga. These presenta-tions have been well received by the inmate population and the program continues to gain recogni-tion among the inmates and within the community. As the program evolves and the institution expands the number of contacts and future participants, the EOCI Enrichment Program has the potential to effect change in the attitudes and lives of hun-dreds of inmates. Community members who are interested in conducting a workshop based on their skills or experi-ences are encouraged to contact Ken Simpson at EOCI, 541-278-3606. In the meantime, Max will be holding down the fort, keeping inmates connected to their community, one “paws”-itive interaction at a time.

Ron Miles, Public Information Officer at Eastern Ore-gon Correctional Facility, presents a check for $268 to Major Rich Pease of the Pendleton Salvation Army for the Toys-for-Tots program. The money was raised by the inmates at EOCI through the purchase of institution made baked goods from mid-October to the end of November 2011.

EOCI Toy for Tots Program


9

CCCF 2011 Charitable Fund Drive Tricycle Race

SFFC Dean Harlow, CCCF Kirk Bennett, CCCF Chuck Haas, OSCI Superintendent Rob Persson, Public Affairs Jennifer Black, OSP Superintendent Jeff Premo, CCCF Superintendent Nancy Howton, CCCF Bob Powell, OISC Kyle Page,

CRCI Elizabeth LaCarney, SCI Superintendent Paula Myers

The Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) Tricycle Race started as a fundraising event for the Governor’s Charitable Fund Drive (CFD). Since its start in 2008, the race has grown and is now a friendly competition between divisions with managers from multiple facilities and divisions partici-pating. This year, the following institutions and divisions were represented: OSCI, OSP, SCI, CRCI, SFFC, CCCF, CCCM, Public Affairs, BHS, Education and OISC. All of the managers were wonderful in joining in the spirit of the race with costumes and competitive spirits. After four heats and the grand finale, CCCF Superintendent Nancy Howton was victorious and brought the trophy home. It was another exciting race. Racers are looking forward to next year and taking the prize belt back from Superintendent Howton. The best news of all, the race raised $1,098 for the CFD. Thank you to all who participated, and for everyone’s generosity!


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Apply for the Susan H. Hunter Scholarship The Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) is solicit-ing scholarship applications from children of correctional employees for the Susan M. Hunter Scholarship. The Susan M. Hunter Correctional Scholarship is named in honor of Susan Hunter, former Chief of the Prisons Division at the National Institute of Corrections, as a lasting tribute to her commitment to the field of corrections. Susan was 58 when she passed away March 14, 2004. Additional details are below and online at www.asca.net.

Eligibility requirements for the Susan M. Hunter scholarship are: 1. Students must be the son or daughter of a corrections employee (current full-time, retired, or de-ceased) within an ASCA-member department of corrections (includes Federal Bureau of Prisons). 2. Students must be enrolled full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university; or an accredited graduate program. In prior years the scholarships have been: $1,000 for undergraduate stu-dents, $1,500 for graduate students and $500 for continuing award winners. The number and amount of scholarships awarded in 2012 will depend upon donations received. 3. Incoming first-time freshmen, along with enrolled full-time college and graduate students, must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. Graduate students’ field of study must be Corrections/Criminal Jus-tice. 4. Scholarship applications (and all required documentation) are due to the ASCA office on March 31, 2012. The Scholarship Review Committee will select scholarship recipients in June 2012. Recipients will be notified by phone, and their names will be posted on the ASCA website. http://collaboration.asca.net/projects/20/pages/149 to learn about the scholarship process; and to http://collaboration.asca.net/projects/20/pages/153 to apply for a scholarship Please contact the ASCA Office (301.393.4500) with any questions regarding the scholarship process.


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Published Author - Chaplain Haefer In late January 2012, one of our very own, Chaplain Roger Haefer from Powder River Correctional Facility (PRCF) became a published author; Escape from Depravity. About the author: In the 19th Century, my family came to Oregon by wagon on the Oregon Trail. I was raised on a cattle ranch in NE Oregon. My work history has been a combination of security and ministry. I worked full-time as a security sergeant in Portland during 1975 to 1980, a County Corrections Officer in 1981 to 1985, and have been a DOC Chaplain at PRCF since 1998. Although my Chap-lain duties have included EOCI, SRCI, and HGO re-entry work as well as PRCF; my pastorate positions included a Bible Church Las Vegas, NV and seven years at a Community Church in the Myrtle Point, NV area. I received my doctorate in 1993. About the book: There were a number of reasons why I wrote my novel, Escape From Depravity. The book was designed to help inmates recog-nize thinking errors and assist in moving them from a pre-contemplative mental state to a contemplative state. The book shows the importance of program-ming, demonstrates how AIP benefits inmates, and warns of possible post-release difficulties. Yet it’s primary focus is to demonstrate the importance of religion for successful rehabilitation. The book was written in a fictional novel format to appeal to people who like to read a story but lack interest in textbook material. It is heavy on religion and is from a Christian perspective, but it also includes fic-tional characters who present a positive perspective on Native American, Orthodox Judaism, and Is-lam. The novel hits on such issues as grief, gangs, program sabotage, and various re-entry issues. In addition, Chaplain Haefer has a second book, Battleship Letters, which will be published and re-leased in May of this year. It is a dramatized biography of his father’s time as a Sea-Going Marine stationed on the battleship U.S.S. New Mexico during WWII. It includes excerpts from 300 letters he wrote to his parents and is based on his war stories, stories from the U.S.S. New Mexico Reunion meetings, and WWII research. This second book captures the transformation of a naive farm boy in-to a hardened combat Marine and reveals many historical facts that few people are aware of. Congratulations to Chaplain Roger Haefer on his success!


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SHYBAR—Improving Safety Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) staff have created a new tool that improves institution safety. The newly-developed SHYBAR allows cell doors to be opened only partway. Before the SHYBAR, staff had no safe alternative for looking inside a papered up cell or applying leg restraints to an inmate without having to enter the cell. Nor could they partially open the cell door during a cell extraction when the cuff port was covered, or chemical agents or tactical munitions had been deployed. In all of these past instances, staff would have to enter the cell. The SHYBAR has en-hanced staff and inmate safety by providing an alternative option for viewing inside a cell. The SHYBAR fits on any housing unit cell door in special housing, with the exception of cells that house disabled inmates. Special SHYBARs were also created for these cells. The person applying or removing this device can do so in a matter of seconds. Once the cell door is opened and has made contact with the SHYBAR, the cell door air pressure will continue to cycle for a few seconds before it shuts off. The door can then be slid with manual force without having to fight the air pressure. With the SHYBAR in place, the cell door only opens approxi-mately six –to-eight inches; that’s wide enough to see inside safely, without the inmate being able to get out of the cell. Inmates can now be placed in full restraints prior to coming into contact with staff. Special thanks are offered to Mr. Hershey who works in the SRCI Physical Plant, and the SRCI Physi-cal Plant staff for taking the time to measure, make minor prototype adjustments, and construct the SHYBAR. Special thanks are also offered to Officer J. Ybarra, whose idea was the simplest and most cost effective to construct.

An example of the SHYBAR at Snake River Correctional Institution.


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The mission of the Oregon Department of Corrections is to promote public safety by holding offenders accountable for their

actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior.

Connections to Corrections Oregon Department of Corrections

Colette S. Peters, Director Mitch Morrow, Deputy Director

Published by the Public Services Division

Chane Griggs, Assistant Director

For more information, to submit story ideas or to write an article, please contact Kelli Ketchum at (503) 945-0927 or e-mail: [email protected]

Thank you to all of those who have, and are now, serving in the military. We honor your service, and we do not take lightly your sacrifices and those of your family. The department wishes to recognize the following staff who are, or were on, military leave as of August 2011. Thank you

for your service and we look forward to your safe return.

Mathew J Brandy CCCF Security Ricahrd Cunningham EOCI Security Daniel Cushman MCCF Food Services Michelle Doyle CCCF Security Aaron Gleason SRCI Security Richard Hedges OSP General Security Alan Humphrey TRCI Security Staff

Charles Kliewer CCCF OISC Administration Steven N McLay CCCF Security Victor Plodovsky OSP Health Services - Medical Hector Rosales Information Systems Jack D Rowlett CCCF Security Lee Sweet TRCI Security Staff Adam B Tschida SRCI Security

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