The state鈥檚 prison system regularly fails women in custody, according to a new report commissioned by lawmakers that also found 鈥渁n immediate need for the state鈥� to 鈥渋nvest in the women and staff鈥� at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon鈥檚 lone prison for women.
The 229-page report, authored by researchers with the Women鈥檚 Justice Institute and the Center for Effective Public Policy, calls on the state and the prison system to make a number of changes. Among those recommendations is training for staff to better meet the needs of the women at the prison, many who have experienced sexual violence, substance abuse or other trauma prior to their incarceration. Other recommendations include improving investigations into sexual assault by hiring a senior officer at the prison solely responsible for overseeing the reporting process and ensuring women feel comfortable coming forward. Researchers also say Oregon should make it easier for women in custody to communicate with family either remotely or through prison visits, the report states.
Coffee Creek 鈥渋s a culture in transition,鈥� the report states. Despite the good intentions of some prison leaders and correctional officers, and are overly reliant on punitive measures, such as moving women from one housing unit to another, limiting the amount of time women can spend out of their cells or sending them to segregation.
鈥淭he facility leadership and many staff are committed to doing what is needed to improve the facility, and the residents show tremendous resilience despite the challenges they face in their lives and while incarcerated,鈥� researchers wrote. 鈥淭here is low morale among staff, and the majority of women reported that they do not feel emotionally safe or respected by staff.鈥�
In response, Gov. Tina Kotek announced a panel to meet next month to start implementing the report鈥檚 recommendations. Kotek called the report 鈥渟obering to read鈥� and also ordered Department of Corrections administrators to identify things they can do immediately to implement findings without costing taxpayers more money.
鈥淚t is incumbent on Oregon鈥檚 corrections system to ensure that the use of carceral settings yield the best possible public safety outcomes and set people up for successful reentry,鈥� Kotek鈥檚 office said in a statement.
According to the report, Coffee Creek creates obstacles for incarcerated women who are trying to maintain a connection with their children and family. The report raises concerns the prison system was making it too difficult for incarcerated mothers to see or communicate with their children.
鈥淚 have been waiting to see my kids for a long time because of the process to get approval,鈥� one woman at Coffee Creek said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 bond with my family.鈥�
鈥淭hese women are huge parts of their families, and they need opportunities to connect with them,鈥� a Coffee Creek staff member said.
The report relied on interviews and written surveys with staff, prison leadership, women in custody as well as women who had spent time at Coffee Creek but are now free. Researchers also spent five days at the Wilsonville prison, observing, reviewing reports and conducting more interviews. The report includes comments from both prison staff and women in custody, who are quoted anonymously. More than 60 percent of the roughly 800 women at the prison completed a survey for researchers.
The Coffee Creek prison had 鈥渁mong the highest number鈥� of reports of sexual harassment and abuse in 2021 鈥渁s well the overwhelming majority of ongoing investigations that year.鈥�
Many of those reports were linked to a former prison nurse, Tony Klein. Last month, . He is set to be sentenced in October and faces the possibility of life in prison. The state also paid $1.87 million to settle civil lawsuits related to Klein.
Most residents and staff at Coffee Creek know how to report abuse, but 鈥渟taff and residents reported concerns about the quality and timeliness of 鈥� investigations, as well as the protocols that are used after allegations are brought and during and after an investigation.鈥� Those who report being mistreated by staff or others in custody, are placed in solitary confinement for their protection, the report alleges.
鈥淲hen I first started here, I asked about false accusations and was told that residents who falsely accuse would be held accountable,鈥� one Coffee Creek staffer told researchers. 鈥淭hey aren鈥檛.鈥�
Another woman in custody said the officers鈥� friends investigate allegations of abuse and harassment.
鈥淚 am waiting until I am out to report,鈥� another woman in Coffee Creek said.
According to the report, Coffee Creek administrators made some improvements, including adding dozens of cameras and mirrors, privacy barriers in toilet stalls and showers, and windows on some closet doors.
Women also reported struggling to access appropriate clothing sizes, and bras and shoes that fit. People in prison are required to wear a uniform, supplied by the Department of Corrections. In some cases, the ill-fitting clothes cause medical issues.
鈥淲e have been defeminized from shoes to clothes,鈥� one woman in custody said.
鈥淚 have dents in my shoulders because I don鈥檛 have a proper bra,鈥� said another.
Heidi Steward, acting director for the Oregon Department of Corrections, said the agency is reviewing the report.
鈥淪ince (Coffee Creek鈥檚) opening in 2001, research into 鈥� and the understanding of 鈥� women鈥檚 unique needs have evolved, and we look forward to maturing our programs and services,鈥� Steward said in a statement.
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