CRCI Main Gate

Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI) is a 595-bed minimum security facility which was constructed on a 26-acre site in Northeast Portland at a cost of approximately $13 million. CRCI officially opened in September 1990. Located in the largest metropolitan area of the state, this facility is focused on alcohol and drug treatment, work programs, and preparing inmates for return to the community. 
 
The facility provides a full range of correctional services and programs which directly support the Department of Corrections primary mission.  These include:
 
     (1) A 50-bed residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program (Turning Point), operating under a contract with a private provider. 
     (2) A 61-bed residential Alternative Incarceration Program (WestCare) operating under a contract with a private provider.
     (3)   Basic adult education, life skills and job readiness training through work crews and cottage industries.
     (4) The institution employs 120 FTE general funded staff and approximately 50 staff provided under contracted services. CRCI has strong "community oriented" programming for inmates and utilizes a large number of community volunteers in its programs.
     (5)  Inmates residing at Columbia River Correctional Institution are required and expected to work.  To that end, Work Crews are formed and subsequently employed by many public agencies, organizations and private businesses throughout the greater Tri-County area.
 
CRCI operates South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC) , a 200-bed unfenced minimum-security correctional work camp for male inmates near Tillamook, Oregon, which is managed jointly with the Oregon Department of Forestry.  CRCI screens inmates prior to assignment to SFFC.  Inmates assigned to the SFFC provide labor for forest management, firefighting, and parks maintenance. 
 
CRCI is a two story structure designed to separately house 595 male inmates in dormitory style housing units.  One 50-bed dormitory has been designated as residential treatment centers where inmates are involved in an intensive Alcohol and/or Drug treatment program for six months or more. This unit is self-contained providing inmates in treatment with the opportunity to successfully complete the program without unnecessary distractions from the general inmate population. The programs offered to other inmates in the facility focus on the development of work habits and skills necessary to obtain and maintain employment.
 
The building was constructed to be cost effective, durable and low maintenance. The metal roofing and siding materials are long lasting and low maintenance. The flat roofs are constructed with a single ply roofing and rock ballast. The exterior wall material provides insulation for the building and a durable, low maintenance surface. The concrete wainscot provides a strong surface at ground level.
 
The interior was designed to be open for maximum visibility throughout the main corridor and from within the control center. Natural lighting was used to reduce the need for artificial lighting. The finish materials on the inside were chosen, once again, for their durability, low maintenance, and cost effectiveness. The dormitories consist of exposed tilt-up concrete walls and concrete masonry walls. The floors are covered with vinyl tile, except for the bathrooms, which have ceramic tile. Again, only durable, long lasting materials were used.

CRCI Management Team                                   Main Number 503-280-6646
 

	General Information	ext 241
Garrett Laney	Superintendent
Elizabeth LaCarney	Institution Security Manager	ext 215
Jeff Boyer	Correctional Rehabilitation Manager	ext 226
Dale Ahlstrom	Physical Plant Manager	ext 237
Richard O'Brien	Medical Services Manager	ext 220
Frank Hernandez	Food Services Manager	ext 250
Linn Menzie	Behavorial Health Services Manager	ext 243
Jennifer Carsner	Executive Support / PIO	ext 216

 

Families and friends may visit inmates housed at CRCI on specific days and times providing the necessary forms have been received by the institution prior to the visit. These forms (CD 50D) can be initiated by the inmate or the visitor.  The forms can be printed out at:  http://oregon.gov/DOC/OPS/docs/visiting_application.doc If the visitor is initiating the visiting process, once the form is filled out and mailed or faxed to the location at the bottom of the application form, the inmate will then receive a letter to approve the addition to his visiting list.  He will reply and send the form back to Inmate Services Unit for final processing.  The visitor can also fill out the form and send it to the inmate to fill out his portion, and he can forward it on for final processing.  The inmate receives notification when and if the visitor was approved and should notify the visitor.  Otherwise, the visitor can come to the institution during visiting hours with picture ID and find out in person.  DOC staff cannot confirm over the telephone if a person is approved or denied for visiting.

There are several types of visits allowed, ranging from special visits to basic visits. Most friends and family members of inmates will fall into either the privileged visit or basic visit categories.

Your conduct as a visitor in an Oregon Department of Corrections Institution is expected to conform to standards of common decency and consideration for others.

VISITING HOURS  DAY AFTERNOON EVENING MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS NO VISITING 6:30 PM -to- 9:00 PM SATURDAYS 2:00 PM -to- 4:00 PM 6:30 PM -to- 9:00 PM BASIC VISITS 2:00 PM -to- 3:00 PM 6:30 PM -to- 8:30 PM SUNDAYS 2:00 PM -to- 4:00 PM 6:30 PM -to- 9:00 PM BASIC VISITS 2:00 PM -to- 4:00 PM 6:30 PM -to- 8:30 PM HOLIDAYS 2:00 PM -to- 4:00 PM 6:30 PM -to- 9:00 PM You must arrive at least one half hour before visiting ends or you will not be permitted to visit.

Types of Visits:

(1) Accompanied Visit:A visit which involves a minor child and is authorized only if the minor child remains in the company of an adult visitor as agreed upon in writing with the custodial parent or guardian. (2) Basic Visit:The opportunity for an inmate and approved visitor to see and talk with each other, on a scheduled basis for a reasonable amount of time, with no physical contact. (3) Privileged Visit:The opportunity for an inmate and an approved visitor to see and talk to each other in an informal setting, on a scheduled basis for a reasonable amount of time, with limited physical contact. (4) Special Visit:A visit granted to a person not on the approved visiting list; an extra visit granted an approved visitor beyond established limits; and/or, a visit granted to occur at an hour and/or place when visits are not normally permitted. (5)Business Visit:Visits for nonsocial purposes by attorneys, representatives of criminal justice agencies and other public or government agencies may be approved as business visits. Such visits should be made by appointment during visiting hours. These individuals must present credentials at the visiting desk identifying themselves as attorneys, representatives of criminal justice agencies, and/or other state agencies, e.g., Oregon State Police.

The Visiting Point System:

Visits with inmates at CRCI are calculated on a point system.  Inmates  are granted 24 visiting points per calendar month.  Each visit results in subtraction of points depending on the day and time of visit.  Visits on Friday evenings are worth one (1) point per visitor (children included).  Visits on weekends or holidays are worth two (2) points per visitor (children included).  When all points are used up, no further visiting is allowed until the next calendar month.

Other visiting considerations:

Visitors are allowed only one (1) visiting session per day on weekends and holidays An inmate may receive no more than four (4) visitors at any one time Inmates can have up to fifteen (15) visitors on their approved list Children under the age of ten (10) years of age are not counted as one of the maximum number of fifteen permitted to visit, although their names must still be on the approved visiting list Visitors may not be on more than one inmate´s approved visiting list at the institution where confined, except for visitors who are immediate family members

Rules of Conduct for Visitors:

Visitors who exhibit indication of the use of alcohol, narcotics, or other intoxicants shall not be permitted visits. No physical contact, except for a brief embrace and kiss upon meeting and leaving. Hand holding and holding of small children under eight (8) years of age are the only physical contact permitted during visits. Visitors should wear conventional clothing in a manner which is not unduly suggestive or tight-fitting, does not resemble inmate attire, and does not create a security hazard. Clothing, hairstyles, insignias or other paraphernalia associated with street gangs will not be permitted. (3a) Dresses, skirts, jumpers, culottes, and pants should not be worn more than two (2) inches above the knee cap. Slit dresses/skirts are only allowed if the slit is not more than two (2) inches above the knee. Wraparound skirts are not allowed. (3b) Halter dresses, halter tops, tube tops, and dresses or tops with plunging/low-cut necklines are not allowed. (3c) See-through clothing, including sheer fabrics and loose weave, are not allowed. Clothing that exposes an undue amount of flesh (e.g., exposing chest, back, thighs, or midsection) are not allowed. (3d) Visitors are required to wear underclothes. (3e) Hats are not allowed within the main visiting room. (3f) Outer garments such as raincoats, ski jackets, and other garments which protect against rain and other inclement weather are not allowed within the main visiting room. (3g) Footwear must be worn. All documents/items will be searched prior to entering or leaving the visiting area. Visitors may not exchange any object or article with an inmate. Visitors with small children must keep them under control at all times. Children must be removed from the visiting area if necessary to avoid disturbing other visitors. No smoking is allowed in any Department of Corrections visiting area.

	CRCI Examination Room

 

Health care services are provided by the Oregon Department of Corrections, Health Services section.  Emergency care is available at local hospitals, when needed.  CRCI provides security escort and supervision, as well as hospital watches when inmates from CRCI or other institutions are hospitalized in the Portland area.   The Medical Clinic provides a daily "sick-call."   If necessary, an inmate may be scheduled to see the nurse practitioner, available in the clinic five days per week, or the physician, who is available two days per week.   Dental care is also available three days per week.  Additionally, mental health services, provided through the department Behavorial Health Services (BHS) are available to inmates as needed.    Programs include HIV Awareness, AIDS Counseling, Domestic Violence Group, and Victims Abuse Group. Treatment service providers schedule groups and counseling sessions four days per week.

In an effort to promote good health and well being, inmates are encouraged to take part in many recreational and other outdoor activities offered to them every day.  Inmates are allowed access to the Recreation Yard three times per day for recreational purposes.

Organized yard activities include: Soccer leagues Basketball leagues Volleyball leagues Pickle-ball leagues (like tennis with a wiffle-ball and high net) Native American pow-wow's Special holiday events

Individual recreational activities include: Weight lifting Jogging / walking trail Hackey-sack Other miscellaneous games and activities

Indoor activities include: Aerobics Yoga Stationary bicycles Bingo Karaoke Numerous board games and other indoor activities (cards, chess, etc.) Religious services

The Department of Corrections (DOC) recognizes the importance of creating partnerships with Oregon Communities where correctional facilities are located.  Therefore, the DOC, in cooperation with Portland, Oregonestablished the Columbia River Correctional Institution Prison Advisory Committee on September 11, 2000.
 
 
 
 
          1.  Serve as a citizen advisory group to the facility superintendent and designated Department of Corrections representatives regarding correctional issues, activities and practices affecting their community.
          2.  To promote open and effective communications between the DOC, the Columbia River Correctional Institution and the community during the life of the facility, from siting through operation and ultimate closure.
          3.  To serve as a community-based conduit through which information is disseminated to and received from the public.
          4.  To work in cooperation with the Superintendent to address specific issues that develop during the life of the facility.
          5.  To assist the Superintendent in developing and promoting safe opportunities for utilization of inmate labor.
          6.  To work in cooperation with the Superintendent to promote, support, and communicate DOC’s mission, vision and values.