Oregon Department of Corrections

09/14/2026

A visit to a restaurant, a Walmart and social services a week before he left prison helped Horacio Orozco understand what to expect.

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

AIC Brandi Harkins has passed the State of Oregon plumbing exam and has become the first person at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility to earn a journeyman plumbing license in the State of Oregon.

This is no small accomplishment. Becoming a licensed journeyman plumber requires extensive training, hands-on experience, dedication, and the ability to successfully complete a challenging state licensing exam.

Construction and Facility Maintenance Manager Tim Crane, a plumber with 30 years of experience, described the process as a difficult journey and recognized just how significant this achevement is.

Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment, Brandi! Your success is an inspiration to everyone at Coffee Creek working on similar certifications.

09/09/2026

Six years ago, catastrophic fires swept across western Oregon, leaving lasting scars on our communities and forests. In partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry, DOC deployed AIC fire crews from across the state -- working both on the front lines and also providing essential camp support, from kitchens to camp showers.

As the 2026 fire season winds down, we are grateful that Oregon has not seen destruction on that scale again. We honor the dedication of every staff member and AIC who stepped up then, and who continue to support wildfire response today. Many of the AICs on those crews in 2020 are now back in their communities and working on private fire crews. Thank you for your service and commitment to keeping Oregon safe.

Photos from the 2020 Salem area deployments.

09/09/2026

Santiam Correctional Institution is proud to celebrate the latest graduates of The Pathfinder Network’s Free Your Mind Class! 🎓✨🙌

Big steps forward at SCI! Thanks to The Pathfinder Network and SCI counselors, Free Your Mind participants are building new skills and embracing positive change. We are proud of their continued growth.

09/03/2026

Oregon is one of seven states that uses prison labor to fight wildfires. Incarcerated firefighters make significantly less money than other firefighters but face the same safety risks. Still, it's among the most sought-after jobs in prison.

08/28/2026

This month, summer heat and wildfire smoke are affecting parts of Oregon. DOC teams are working to reduce the impact inside our institutions. AIC fire crews have also been supporting wildfire response across the state. The Secretary of State released a recent audit of DOC. We’ll talk about the work already underway to address those findings. Our July Town Hall was held in the evening to give swing and night shift staff a better chance to participate. And we’ll recognize Officer Paul Roe for his professionalism and courage as we present a long overdue Medal of Valor.

This month, summer heat and wildfire smoke are affecting parts of O...

08/27/2026

🔥 Check this out from yesterday’s fire response!

Five crews of 10 adults in custody from South Fork Forest Camp deployed roughly 30 miles from the camp to assist with fire suppression efforts.

Working alongside air attack and heavy equipment crews, the SFFC hand crews helped tackle the fire, which was contained at approximately 20 acres.

Four SFFC crews are back on the fire today, continuing to support suppression efforts.

Pretty incredible work—and a great example of the important role SFFC crews play in responding to wildfires across Oregon. 💪🔥

08/26/2026

We thought you might like an update on our AIC Fire Crew deployments:

So far in 2026, our crews have supported 27 unique fires through 51 deployments across Oregon.

Through our partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry, DOC crews have been deployed to 17 Oregon counties, providing critical wildfire suppression and incident support.

Our 2026 deployments include:

🔥 9 — Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) fire suppression deployments
🔥 14 — Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) fire suppression deployments
🔥 6 — Santiam Correctional Institution (SCI) fire suppression deployments
🔥 17 — South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC) fire suppression deployments
⛺ 11 — Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCM) suppression crews and camp-support deployments, including food and shower services

From wildfire suppression on the fireline to providing essential support behind the scenes, our AIC fire crews play an important role in Oregon's wildfire response.

We’re proud of the work these crews do alongside ODF and our other wildfire partners to help protect Oregon communities, forests and natural resources.

27 fires. 51 deployments. 17 counties. And the season isn’t over yet.