OCE’s Contributions to Oregon

Satisfying Citizens’ Expectations

Oregon’s Constitution requires inmates to be involved in productive work. Inmate work is a key component of the Oregon Accountability Model, an initiative of the Oregon Department of Corrections. Work programs help the department hold inmates accountable for their actions and provide a foundation to lead successful lives upon release.

Creating Oregon Jobs

In providing work programs for inmates; OCE also provides jobs for over a 100 Oregon citizens. These employees earned $7.7 million in salaries and benefits during the last fiscal year. These earnings support their families, pay state and federal taxes, and contribute to Oregon’s economy. Through purchases of raw materials and equipment, OCE also helps to support many other Oregon private sector companies.

Reducing Costs to Oregon Taxpayers

Inmates manufacture beds, clothing, cell furniture, and many other items for Oregon’s prisons. OCE also provides low-cost services such as printing, telecommunications, and laundry service to various other state agencies, helping to reduce the cost of government.

Contributing to Public Safety

When inmates have productive activities to occupy their time, Oregon’s prisons are safer. Last year, OCE inmates worked approximately 1.6 million man-hours, providing an important positive impact on reducing prison misconduct.

Minimizing Competition

OCE strives to balance the interests of private sector businesses with its constitutional mandate to engage inmates in meaningful work. Through business partnerships and mutually beneficial relationships, OCE works with the private sector to add value to their products and services by meeting their need for a stable, skilled workforce. To train the greatest number of inmates, OCE pursues labor-intensive processes. By contrast, the private sector typically avoids these types of activities, favoring technological alternatives to accomplish their work.

Benefiting the Citizens of Oregon

At OCE, we endeavor to keep as many inmates working as financially possible.  While we maintain our commitment to maximize inmate work assignments, our constitutional mandate also requires that we operate with self-sufficiency. Over1,100 inmates work in OCE programs throughout Oregon. In the past year, these inmates were paid just under $2 million in awards for their labor. Inmates contribute part of these earnings toward meeting their obligations for child support, state and federal taxes, court-imposed fines, and victim’s assistance funds. Many inmates also help to support their families by sending home a portion of their earnings.

Contributing to the Economy

OCE purchases a wide array of materials, equipment, and services from Oregon private-sector vendors whenever possible. These purchases totaled $6 million in fiscal year 2009.

Helping Reduce Recidivism

A person who is able to earn an honest living is less likely to commit future crimes. When offenders commit new crimes and return to prison, everyone pays—the victims of repeat offenders, the children and families of these offenders, and taxpayers. Studies conducted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons on how correctional industry programs affect inmate recidivism show that work skills play a significant role in reducing the possibility of an offender returning to prison. Inmates who worked in prison industries or completed vocational and apprenticeship programs were are likely to recidivate than non-program participants and are more likely to find gainful employment.