Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Oregon DOC tells legislature staffing, aging population and facilities drive budget and program priorities
Summary
Oregon Department of Corrections Director Mike Rees briefed the House and Senate judiciary committees on Jan. 22 on the agency’s statewide operations, staffing shortages, aging incarcerated population and efforts to reduce contraband and expand treatment services.
Mike Rees, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, told the House and Senate judiciary committees on Wednesday, Jan. 22, that the agency manages a statewide corrections system with 12 prisons, more than 12,000 adults in custody and an operating biennial budget of about $2.4 billion.
The overview outlined DOC’s dual mission of protecting community safety and “transforming lives” by preparing most people in custody to return to their communities. Rees described three principal challenges: staffing shortages, an aging incarcerated population that increasingly needs medical and geriatric care, and modernization needs including an outdated IT system.
Rees said staffing shortfalls are most acute in security positions and health care. "We can't just shut down — we are a 24/7 operation," Rees said, describing…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
