Coffee Creek Correctional Facility Hosts Largest Family Event Of The Year (Photo) -07/30/25

DOC Receives Healthcare Delivery System Assessment -07/29/25

Earlier this year, DOC hired the Falcon Group, a national consulting firm specializing in correctional healthcare. Falcon conducted a comprehensive review of DOC’s healthcare delivery system including policies, practices, and the overall quality of care. Falcon arrived at 67 findings and key observations reflecting convergence among sources of information and stakeholders that were unprecedented in Falcon’s experience. The key findings in “State of Oregon Department of Corrections Healthcare Delivery System Assessment,” included Falcon noting that DOC impressed them as authentically committed to studying and improving healthcare for AICs. The report also noted that Pharmacy Services and Dental Services both emerged as best practice models, and that Behavioral Health Services has many best-practice approaches.  

Suspicious Substance Detected And Cleared At Two Rivers Correctional Institution -07/16/25

On July 16, 2025, Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) staff were alerted to a suspicious substance in mail received at the administration building. The area was secured and evacuated. About five envelopes containing photos with a strong odor were isolated. At approximately 12:15 p.m., DOC incident command was activated.

TRCI worked with the Umatilla Fire Department and their HAZMAT team to investigate and assess any hazards. Four Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) employees were exposed and had reactions to the substance. As a precaution, staff were decontaminated before being transported offsite for further evaluation. HAZMAT tested the mail and cleared the site after no dangerous substances were detected.

DOC takes all threats to staff and adults in custody seriously. This incident underscores the importance of preventing dangerous substances from entering DOC facilities.

TRCI is a multi-custody prison in Umatilla that houses approximately 1,800 adults in custody. TRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including institution and industrial laundry, mattress manufacturing, and sewing. Other institution work programs include reparation and cleaning of irrigation ditches, maintenance of local baseball fields, and work with local cities and the Hermiston School District. The facility provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, religious services, and behavioral health services. TRCI opened in 2000.

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Oregon Department Of Corrections Announces New Assistant Director For Health Services Division (Photo) -07/15/25

Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Michael Reese today announced the appointment of Kevin Bovenkamp as the new Assistant Director of Health Services. He will join the DOC team August 11, 2025.

Mr. Bovenkamp began his career in corrections in 2005, as the Director of Organizational Development with Washington State Department of Corrections (WA DOC) and more recently served as the Assistant Secretary of WA DOC’s Health Services Division from 2013 to 2019.

Mr. Bovenkamp brings more than 20 years of experience working in corrections and in health care services, with 7 years of that time in correctional health services settings. He is passionate about public service and deeply committed to equity, accountability, and quality care for justice-involved populations.

Before joining DOC, Mr. Bovenkamp served as the Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. There he oversaw statewide healthcare operations, behavioral health services, and habilitative supports. As part of this role, Mr. Bovenkamp directed healthcare staffing initiatives, succession planning, and leadership development that strengthen team performance and built organizational resilience.

In addition to completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at Seattle University, he has a certificate in Executive Management from University of Washington, and a Master of Science degree in Health/Correctional Health Care Administration from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“I am excited to welcome Mr. Bovenkamp to the Oregon DOC team. I am confident he will make a significant impact, both for Health Services and for DOC,” stated DOC Director Michael Reese.

The Oregon Department of Corrections Health Services provides health care to adults in custody (AICs) at each institution. State and federal laws ensure that AICs are entitled to health care during incarceration. Healthcare services to AICs must be comparable to health care provided in the community. This means all types and levels of health care must be provided in a clinically appropriate manner by properly credentialed professionals in settings equipped and designed for the delivery of health care. Health care includes medical, dental, psychiatric, and mental health services.

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Oregon State Penitentiary Reports In-custody Death (Photo) -07/15/25

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, William Carl Jordan, died the evening of July 13, 2025. Jordan was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Jordan entered DOC custody on June 6, 2024, from Washington County with an earliest release date of September 17, 2026. Jordan was 68 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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Snake River Correctional Institution Reports In-custody Death (Photo) -07/03/25

Oregon Department Of Corrections Modernizes Public Records Request Process -07/03/25

In an ongoing effort to improve services for Oregonians, the Department of Corrections (DOC) has modernized its public records request process by implementing new software to streamline access and communication.

Effective July 7, 2025, DOC will launch Granicus GovQA, a cloud-based platform designed to efficiently manage and process public records requests. Public records requests can be submitted through the DOC website:  Department of Corrections : Public Record Requests : Research and Information Requests : State of Oregon.

As the volume and complexity of requests have grown, DOC adopted GovQA to provide a secure, centralized, and highly customizable solution. The new system enhances transparency and improves tracking and communication—leading to better customer service.

Through the new public records portal, requesters can:

• Create a secure user profile.
• Submit and track requests online.
• Communicate directly with DOC staff to clarify or refine requests, helping to reduce delays and improve accuracy.
• Retrieve responsive records directly from the GovQA portal.

For DOC staff, the system standardizes workflows, increasing internal efficiency and consistency in handling requests.

Granicus GovQA is the largest provider of cloud-based services for government compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It supports numerous state and local governments across the country, including other agencies within Oregon.

DOC employs 4,600 staff members at 12 institutions, two community corrections offices, and several centralized support facilities throughout the state. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of over 12,000 adults sentenced to more than 12 months of incarceration, and direct or indirect supervision of 24,000 offenders on felony supervision in the community. DOC is recognized nationally among correctional agencies for providing adults in custody with the cognitive, education, and job skills needed to become productive citizens when they transition back to their communities.

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Oregon State Penitentiary Reports In-custody Death (Photo) -07/02/25

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Stuart Ross Anderson, died the morning of July 2, 2025. Anderson was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Anderson entered DOC custody on June 22, 2004, from Deschutes County with an earliest release date of January 4, 2040. Anderson was 72 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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