Oregon DOC ALL MESSAGE – AIC Visiting

Since March 13, 2020, AIC visitation has been suspended in response to COVID-19. It has been a long year, and we are happy to announce our institutions are thoughtfully preparing to reinstate in-person visits.

We will run visiting pilots at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP), Columba River Correctional Institution (CRCI), and Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF). We’ll kick off the pilot at OSP on April 11 and bring CRCI and CCCF on the beginning of May. By starting with pilot institutions, we will work out any potential difficulties prior to reinstating visits at other locations. We hope this will help alleviate confusion and frustration for employees working visiting and avoid unnecessary disappointment and stress for AICs and their loved ones.

To keep everyone safe during visiting, the following protocols have been established:

• All visits must be pre-scheduled. Scheduling for the OSP pilot will begin on March 29, 2020, through the Superintendent’s office. Details for scheduling visits at CRCI and CCCF are being developed.
• All visits will be non-contact and social distancing will be enforced.
• AICs in quarantine or isolation will not participate in visiting.
• The number of visitors allowed in the visiting room will be based on available space when utilizing social distancing.
• The frequency and length of visits will be limited to ensure all AICs have an opportunity to visit.
• Visitors will be symptom screened and temperature checked; visitors who are sick or symptomatic will not be allowed to visit.
• Both AICs and visitors must always wear appropriate face coverings and will perform hand hygiene immediately before and after the visit.
• Visitors will be assigned to stations to allow for contact tracing.
• No food or drink will be allowed.
• Tables, chairs and other high-touch surfaces will be disinfected between visitation groups; all areas, to include lobbies and restrooms, will be cleaned following the completion of visiting each day.

As the Agency Operations Center (AOC) continues with recovery plans, they have asked each institution to submit a detailed plan for reinstating in-person visits. Each individual institution is developing plans consistent with their unique resources (including physical space) and will continuously monitor their visiting plan, and make prompt modifications as necessary, to effectively manage COVID-19. Such modification may include limiting or postponing visitation, altering times or duration, or other adjustments.

We are thrilled to be bringing family and friends back together through visiting. We appreciate your patience as we work through the process. We will continue to keep you updated as we implement our recovery plan. You can also find up-to-date information on the DOC webpage.

As reminder, in the workplace, state employees are still required to wear masks and social distance to the extent possible. When this directive changes, we will let you know immediately.

Be well and be safe.

Sincerely,

Colette S. Peters                                                            Heidi Steward

Director                                                                           Deputy Director