The Oregon Way in Action
IMU at SRCI
The SRCI IMU “Step-Up” Program began in October 2019. DOC has been working with Dr. Ryan Labreque, Central Florida University, who has acquired funding from the Charles Koch Foundation to assist DOC in implementing and evaluating a stepdown unit/process from the Intensive Management Unit at SRCI.
The purpose of the SRCI IMU “Step-Up” Program is to operate a prison management system that creates a pathway for offenders to step-down from the IMU program to lower security level general populations in a way that maintains public, staff, and AIC safety and by applying the principles of evidence-based practices to reduce recidivism back to the IMU program.
The program features cognitive behavior programming offered both in a classroom and on the unit, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), GED and transition programming (Road to Success) for those AICs getting ready for release.
AICs start the program at Phase 1 for 30 days. After engaging in programming and with positive behavior, AICs go to Phase 2 for 60 days. In Phase 2, they attend activities in the unit without restraints and engage in socialization activities with up to four other AICs. This reduces the effects of long-term restrictive housing on the AIC and also allows staff the ability to monitor the progress of these AICs in the unit.
BHU at OSP
Staff at the Oregon State Penitentiary are at the beginning stages of creating Resource Teams in the institution’s special housing units. These teams are designed to assess individual needs of the most mentally ill incarcerated people. Often, these people are hesitant to leave their cell and participate in positive programming and activities to help them become better citizens within the facility and upon release.
Oregon State Penitentiary staff are using any free time to discuss individual needs, create innovative solutions and implement new ideas in order to help those on the unit.