As of September 15, 2020, all adults in custody (AICs) who evacuated Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI) have now returned to their home institution. On September 8, the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) evacuated OSCI along with Mill Creek Correctional Facility (MCCF) and Santiam Correctional Institution (SCI) due to threats from wildfires, temporarily relocating the incarcerated populations of all three prisons to the Oregon State Penitentiary. AICs from MCCF and SCI who evacuated at the same time as OSCI returned to their home institutions on September 10.

The total number of AICs evacuated from the three Salem intuitions is 1,370. DOC has worked with the Oregon State Police and the State Fire Marshall during each evacuation to keep everyone who works and lives inside these prisons safe.

DOC is aware of the impact the decision to evacuate could have on the spread of COVID-19 within its facilities, and took precautions to mitigate the impact whenever possible. While social distancing is always challenging in a prison environment—and made even more difficult in the midst of wildfire evacuations—masks have continued to be provided and encouraged among all AICs and employees. In addition, DOC Health Services is working closely with transport and institutions to ensure AIC health needs are met during this difficult time.   

Evacuation is a temporary measure and DOC will return the remaining evacuated AICs to their home institution when it is safe to do so.   

OSCI is a medium security prison in Salem that houses approximately 824 adults in custody. OSCI provides a range of correctional services and programs including education, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, religious services, AIC work crews, and transition planning. OSCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises, including a print shop and a call center. OSCI was established by action of the 1955 Legislature and became fully operational on June 1, 1959.

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