Oregon State Penitentiary Reports Two In-custody Deaths (Photo) -09/08/20

Two Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adults in custody died recently. Both were incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem. As with all in-custody deaths, Oregon State Police have been notified.

Ronald James Kyle died September 5, 2020. Kyle entered DOC custody on November 4, 2009, from Washington County with an earliest release date of May 29, 2029. Kyle was on hospice care and passed away in the infirmary. Kyle was 68 years old.

Arturo Mora Ruiz died September 5, 2020. Ruiz entered DOC custody on June 18, 1985, from Jackson County and was serving a life sentence. Ruiz was end of life care and passed away at a local hospital. Ruiz was 59 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,000 individuals who are incarcerated in 14 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 over 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 death row, 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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