Prisoners in the Oregon State Penitentiary unit reserved for inmates with the most severe mental illnesses spend months, sometimes years in small cells with no natural light or outdoor access and rarely get to speak with others, according to an investigation by Disability Rights Oregon.
Most are in their cells for 23 hours a day and few regularly shower or have a chance for recreation even though both are required under state Department of Corrections policies, the federally funded advocacy group found.
The investigation began last spring and relied on interviews with 19 inmates, an examination of 4,500 pages of medical, mental health and disciplinary records and video footage from the prison’s Behavioral Health Unit. One video revealed an inmate being stunned with a Taser gun when he failed to wake up or get up to be placed in restraints for his required medication, according to the group.
Attorneys from the organization presented some of their findings to state lawmakers Tuesday, while urging all legislators to support SB 739 to change the conditions. …Continue reading at OregonLive.com
My son is being housed at Salem State Penitentiary. He was incarcerated 2 years ago and had 3 months left of his sentence. He was looking forward to finishing up his term and was working out, running 2 to 3 miles daily. Hewas originally given minimum security status but chose to not take medication for his depression. Because of thst, they said they would have to have him in medium security to observe for 90 days. That turned into 1 1/2 yrs. He was then transferred 3 different times to minimum and medium and then minimum security facilities. He resumed his workout routine but on his relocations he didn’t have the relationshipsame and kept to himself so he could just bide his time. It was viewed as disrespectful behavior do they sent him to Salem and the behavioral unit. They isolated him, took away all priveleges. No out time for 1 month except for one time for less than an hour. No showere, no dosp, no tooth brush. He had a psychotic break. They pepper sprayed him 2 times that I am aware of. Hewas medicated against his will. When I talked to someone there they said they were trying to keep staff and other inmates safe as priority so that’s why no out time. I said it was inhumane and he doesn’t do well in isolation nor would anybody who wasn’t experiencing mental health issues would. She Said They Were Doing Best They Could But It Was Up To my son to act better to get priveleges bsck. I said that they were creating the problem and making it even worse. I am now worried about permanent damage. I said how can he get better in those conditions. They called me later to tell me that he us no longer being observed but being admitted. I’m so worried for my son. He just turned 24. He is guilty of dating a 16 year old when he was 21. He had measure 11 crime on his list of stacked charges so rather than risk mandatory sentence he pled to lesser charges and was told he would be in minimum security facility. It’s been a nightmare. The worse case things have happened to him.