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Administrative Rules

Current Rules

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adopts administrative rules that affect staff members, inmates, and members of the public. These rules help the Department carry out statutory requirements and act in accordance with the Agency mission, to promote public safety. 

For a list of DOC rules please visit the Oregon Secretary of State.

The Oregon Administrative Rules Database (OARD) provides access to the official rules governing state agencies, including policies, procedures, and regulations. Use this resource to find up-to-date information on administrative rules that impact state operations and services.

Oregon Transparency Administrative Rules: Database reports, links and related Administrative Rules resources.

Proposed Rulemaking


The Department of Corrections filed Notices of Proposed Rulemaking for the following administrative rules. Proposed rulemaking includes rule changes that are under consideration but not yet adopted. All Agency rulemaking notices are published by the Secretary of State in the Oregon Bulletin. 

The Department welcomes comments on proposed rules. When submitting comments, please be sure to include the division number and title of the proposed rule. Written comments may be submitted using the Submit a Comment link in the menu on the left side of the screen.

Details:
​BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 037 rules establish department policy and procedures governing the submission and processing of requests of the department for public records. These rules are currently under temporary adoption through January 2, 2026, to direct public records requesters—excluding adults in custody—to a new online portal accessible via the Department of Corrections (DOC) website. This portal will serve as a centralized, web-based platform for submitting public records requests, receiving required responses and communications from the DOC, and obtaining copies of public records. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on September 9, 2025.

PROPOSED CHANGES

These proposed amendments to the department's Division 037 rules are needed to permanently adopt the temporary changes to the rules and other proposed changes which:

  • Update process for non-AICs requesting public records from the department to include a new online public records portal linked on the existing DOC website, and for submitting written requests in person;
  • Update process for AICs to submit requests for public records from the department;
  • Provide requirements and guidance on information to include in a request for public records;
  • Clarify what the process is when a request for public records is submitted to the wrong unit;
  • Clarify the rules or add consistency within the rules;
  • Change the term "inmate" to "adult in custody";
  • Update definitions to align with department philosophy or standard definitions; and
  • Expand allowable payment methods.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED

Proposed amendments to these rules are open for public comment. The last day and time to offer comment has been extended to November 30, 2025, at 12:00PM (noon). Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Submit comments to:

DOC Rules Coordinator
3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200
Salem, OR 97302

A virtual public hearing for these proposed changes was held on October 22, 2025, at 2:00PM. 


Details:

​BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 076 rules establish department policy and procedures governing the prevention of adult in custody suicides in Department of Corrections facilities.

These rules are currently under temporary adoption through March 30, 2026, to suspend a rule, OAR 291-076-0040, establishing a specific multi-disciplinary review procedure in the event of a suicide.

 A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on October 2, 2025.

PROPOSED CHANGES

These proposed amendments to the department's Division 076 rules are needed to permanently repeal OAR 291-076-0040 which does not reflect current practice or policy of the department.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Proposed amendments to these rules are open for public comment. The last day and time to offer comment is December 28, 2025, at 12:00PM (noon). 

A public rules hearing is scheduled for December 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. See updated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for details.​

Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Submit comments to:

DOC Rules Coordinator
DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov 
​3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200
Salem, OR 97302



Details:

BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 001 rules, specifically 291-001-0020 through 291-001-0080, establish the department's policy on rulemaking procedure.

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on October 24, 2025.

PROPOSED CHANGES

These proposed amendments to the department's Division 001 rules are needed to:

  • add Corrections Ombudsman and Nine Tribes to the required for notice list;
  • add a new rule, OAR 291-001-0023, relating to requests from the public to receive rulemaking notices that align with new process (signup through website);
  • provide correction (update old mailing address, fix rule reference), clarification, and consistency within the rules, and remove unnecessary or redundant language; and
  • update and reorganize OAR 291-001-0080 regarding requests for copies to align with current process and for clarity and to add a fee schedule for paper copies.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Proposed amendments to these rules are open for public comment. The last day and time to offer comment is December 19, 2025, at 12:00PM (noon). Comments must be received by the Rules Office before the close of the comment period to be reviewed and considered.

Submit comments to:​

​DOC Rules Coordinator
3723 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Ste 200
Salem, OR 97302​

​​​



Recently Adopted Rules

​OAR 291-157 Release Funds

OVERVIEW

These rules ensure adults in custody have access to basic financial support upon release. The main objective for this update was to remove the set amount for release funds and discontinue the accompanying obsolete process. Additional revisions to OAR 291-157:

  • Clarified rules;
  • Made minor grammatical changes or changes to titles;
  • Updated statutory citations;
  • Changed the term "inmate" to "adult in custody";
  • Removed gendered language;
  • Updated, added, or clarified definitions; and
  • Updated and further defined the process.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule language was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on July 3, 2025, with an effective date of July 3, 2025.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on April 29, 2025. The public comment period was open from April 29, 2025, through June 19, 2025. No comments were received.

​OAR 291-131 Mail (AIC) TEMP

Temporary Administrative Order

Temporary Administrative Order Tracked Changes​

The Department of Corrections' Division 131 rules establish department policy and procedures governing the sending, receipt, and processing of adult in custody mail in Department of Corrections facilities.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on July 3, 2025 and filed for OAR 291-131 Mail (AIC). These temporary amendments are effective July 3, 2025 through December 29, 2025 and are needed to:

(1) Remove the “20-pound" weight restriction on envelopes and move to a “standard weight" restriction, because many in the public have been confused by the “20-pound" weight restriction and white envelopes that meet that criteria are not widely available;

(2) Clarify the definitions and dispositions of mail that is refused (in other words, returned unopened for non-compliance with the Division 131 rules) and mail that is rejected (in other words, returned upon opening and inspection for non-compliance with the Division 131 rules);

(3) Clarify that business cards are unauthorized enclosures and that certain kinds of writing materials are not allowed, because they can be used to smuggle controlled substances into Department of Corrections facilities; and

(4) Clarify that legal or official mail may include a single, postage-paid return envelope that meets the Division 131 rules' criteria, to facilitate return mail in legal and official matters and to bring the department's rules in line with its practices.

The Department of Corrections finds that following the permanent rulemaking process, rather than taking this temporary rulemaking action to remove unnecessary restrictions and clarify for the public and AICs what is (and is not) permitted in incoming mail, will result in serious prejudice to the public interest because the department's failure to immediately amend its Division 131 rules will result in:

(1) Continued refusal of incoming mail sent to AICs that the department has determined could otherwise be allowed consistent with the inherent limitations of resources and the need for facility security, safety, health, order, and discipline, and AIC rehabilitation;

(2) Continued confusion among members of public regarding the types of envelopes and writing materials that may be used to send mail to AIC;

(3) Continued receipt in the mail of types of envelopes, writing materials and business cards that may be used to seek to introduce controlled substances and other contraband into Department of Corrections facilities;

(4) Continued confusion among AICs and members of the public regarding the department's rules governing disposition of unopened (versus opened) mail that violates the rules; and

(5) Seriously hinder the department's ability to provide for a consistent statewide framework and structure for processing AIC mail.


​OAR 291-037 Release of Public Records TEMP

Temporary Administrative Order

Temporary Administrative Order Tracked Changes

The Department of Corrections' Division 037 rules establish department policy and procedures governing the submission and processing of requests of the department for public records.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on July 3, 2025, and filed for OAR 291-037-0015 Requests for Department Public Records. These temporary amendments are effective July 7, 2025 through January 2, 2026 and are needed to establish and guide requesters, other than adults in custody, to a new online public records portal linked on the existing DOC website for making and communicating with the Department of Corrections regarding requests of the department for public records, receiving statutorily-required responses and communications from the department, and for receiving copies of public records – all from one web-based location using the internet.

The Department of Corrections finds that following the permanent rulemaking process, rather than taking this temporary rulemaking action, will result in serious prejudice to the public interest because the department's failure to promptly amend OAR 291-037-0015 will prevent the department from immediately:

(1) Adopting and making available to the public a new streamlined and modern web-based process for making and communicating with the Department of Corrections regarding requests of the department for public records, receiving statutorily-required responses and communications from the department, and for receiving copies of public records – all from one web-based location using the internet;

(2) Providing the public with improved response times to their requests of the department for public records; and

(3) Benefiting from improved capabilities and efficiencies, including improved identification of redundancies and program analytics, that the new online public records portal and associated vendor software and services will provide for the department and the public.​

​291-070 Records Management (Adult in Custody and Adult on Supervision)

These rules establish standards for the control, maintenance, and disposition of file materials pertaining to individuals in the custody or under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. These rules were last updated in 2020. The main objective for this update was to align certain language used within these rules with the department's philosophy to normalize and humanize the incarcerative experience for adults in the custody and under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. Revisions to these rules:

  • Change the term “inmate" to “adult in custody" and the term “offender" to “adult on supervision";
  • Spell out acronyms for added clarity;
  • Make housekeeping updates to clarify and improve consistency within the rules and with other department rules; and
  • Align definitions with adopted standard department definitions. 
Current Status

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on September 30, 2025, with an effective date of September 30, 2025.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials
Public Comment Period

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on July 21, 2025.

The public comment period was open from July 21, 2025, through September 19, 2025. No comments were received.

​291-058 Structured, Intermediate Sanctions (TEMP)

Temporary Administrative Order

Temporary Administrative Order Tracked Changes ​

The Department of Corrections' Division 058 rules establish department policy and procedures regarding imposition of structured, intermediate sanctions for violation of supervision conditions for adults on supervision.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on September 29, 2025, and filed for OAR 291-058-0045 Imposition of Administrative Sanctions or Interventions on Adults on Supervision. These temporary amendments are effective October 1, 2025 through March 29, 2026 and are needed to reattach and reincorporate Attachment A - Administrative Sanctions Sanctioning Grid and Attachment B - Sanction Equivalency Table in the rules, which were inadvertently removed, and to apply the procedures prospectively and retroactively.

The Department of Corrections finds that following the permanent rulemaking process, rather than taking this temporary rulemaking action, will result in serious prejudice to the public interest because the department's failure to promptly reattach and reincorporate Attachment A - Administrative Sanctions Sanctioning Grid and Attachment B - Sanction Equivalency Table in the rules and to apply the procedures prospectively and retroactively will seriously hinder the department's ability to provide for a consistent statewide framework and structure for imposing structured, intermediate sanctions on adults on supervision for violation of supervision conditions.


​291-076 Suicide Prevention (TEMP)

Temporary Administrative Order 

Temporary Administrative Order Tracked Changes​ 

The Department of Corrections' Division 076 rules establish the department's policy for the prevention of AIC suicides.

A Temporary Administrative Order was approved by the Department of Corrections Director on October 2, 2025, and filed for OAR 291-076-0040, a rule establishing a specific multi-disciplinary review procedure in the event of a suicide. These temporary amendments are effective October 2, 2025 through March 30, 2026 and are needed to suspend this rule as the rule does not reflect current practice or policy of the department.

The Department of Corrections finds that following the permanent rulemaking process, rather than taking this temporary rulemaking action, will result in serious prejudice to the public interest because the department's failure to suspend OAR 291-076-0040 leaves the department operating under a rule that does not align with current practices. Under ORS 146.090, the medical examiner is responsible for investigating and certifying the cause and manner of all human deaths in any correctional facility. The Department's former practice of initiating a suicide review process based on an established manner of death was an inadequate and ineffective process because of the practical problems associated with depending on a medical examiner certification. Instead, the Department of Corrections continues to follow existing review procedures associated with any death of an adult in custody.


​291-141 General Library Services

Division 141 rules establish the department's policy, procedures, and expectations for adults in custody accessing general library services and materials. These rules were last updated in 1995. The main objective of this update was to:

  • Clarify the distinction between general and legal library services;
  • Ensure statewide consistency and alignment with current practices;
  • Replace “inmate" with “adult in custody"; and
  • Improve clarity, organization, and alignment with other DOC rules.

Current Status

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on October 7, 2025, with an effective date of October 7, 2025.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

Public Comment Period

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on July 28, 2025.

The public comment period was open from July 28, 2025 through September 19, 2025. No comments were received.

 


BACKGROUND

The Department of Corrections' Division 131 rules establish department policy and procedures governing the sending, receipt, and processing of adult in custody mail in Department of Corrections facilities. These rules were under temporary adoption from July 3, 2025 to remove unnecessary restrictions and clarify for the public and AICs what is (and is not) permitted in incoming mail. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on July 23, 2025.

PROPOSED CHANGES

The proposed amendments to the department's Division 131 rules are needed to permanently adopt the temporary changes to the rules which:

(1) remove the “20-pound" weight restriction on envelopes and move to a “standard weight" restriction, because many in the public have been confused by the “20-pound" weight restriction and white envelopes that meet that criteria are not widely available;

(2) clarify the definitions and dispositions of mail that is refused (in other words, returned unopened for non-compliance with the Division 131 rules) and mail that is rejected (in other words, returned upon opening and inspection for non-compliance with the Division 131 rules);

(3) clarify that business cards are unauthorized enclosures and that certain kinds of writing materials are not allowed, because they can be used to smuggle controlled substances into Department of Corrections facilities; and

(4) clarify that legal mail and official mail may include a single, postage-paid return envelope that meets the Division 131 rules' criteria, to facilitate return mail in legal matters and official matters and to bring the department's rules in line with its practices; and to adopt additional proposed amendments to clarify rules relating to legal mail and official mail.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A public comment period was open from July 23, 2025 through September 19, 2025. A public hearing was held virtually on August 26, 2025. Two individuals testified. One comment was received in writing by an adult in custody.

CURRENT STATUS

The Director approved the proposed rule language on 10/24/25. The rules were filed with the Secretary of State on 10/24/25, with an effective date of 10/24/25.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials


​OVERVIEW

The Department of Corrections Division 058 rules establish department policy and procedures regarding imposition of structured, intermediate sanctions for violation of supervision conditions for adults on supervision. Supplementary documents attached to and incorporated in these rules, Attachment A - Administrative Sanctions Sanctioning Grid and Attachment B - Sanction Equivalency Table, are used to uniformly apply penalties for violations of supervision conditions, such as probation or parole.

These rules were under temporary adoption from October 1, 2025, through March 29, 2026, to reattach and reincorporate the attachments in the rules, Attachment A - Administrative Sanctions Sanctioning Grid and Attachment B - Sanction Equivalency Table, and to apply the procedures prospectively and retroactively.

The objective for this amendment to the department's Division 058 rules was to reattach and reincorporate the attachments in the rules, Attachment A - Administrative Sanctions Sanctioning Grid and Attachment B - Sanction Equivalency Table, and to apply the procedures prospectively and retroactively.

CURRENT STATUS

The final rule was approved by the Department of Corrections Director, and a Permanent Administrative Order was filed with the Secretary of State on November 25, 2025, with an effective date of December 1, 2025.

Final Rule Language and Related Materials

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Secretary of State on September 29, 2025. The public comment period was open from September 29, 2025, to November 19, 2025. One comment was received. Details can be found in the Summary Memo attached below.




Rulemaking Calendar

This is the Oregon Transparency Public Meeting Calendar, which publishes public meetings for state agencies, boards, commissions, or Education Service District (ESD). Searches by agency, board, commission, branch, meeting title, date, and source is available on legend tools on the top right of the calendar. Access to chart and summary views is available on the legend tools found on the bottom left of the calendar.

Department of Corrections meetings will be clearly labeled beginning with 'DOC'. At this time, there are no scheduled rulemaking events. Updates will be posted here as soon as they become available.