OCO Monitoring Visits: The practice of routinely inspecting all correctional institutions to assess and report on the facility conditions and treatment of people who are incarcerated. All facilities are inspected, not just those with known problems. Monitoring is critical for ensuring the safety of all people inside. It is a proactive process meant to provide early identification of concerns about conditions and ill-treatment.
March 2026= Monitoring Visits in progress
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff have met with individuals in R2 about issues concerning classification. Also there is reporting issues with used and damaged tablets being given upon arrival in unit and when damage was pointed out by the incarcerated individual, the tablet was taken awya and will only be replaced if the person pays for a new tablet,. Not getting response from facility management, other than to pay the cost of a new tablet.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Madison Vinson
OCO Action: OCO staff met with individuals in COA and heard concerns regarding issues and circumstances.
February 2026= 3 Visits
OCO Staff: Ollie Web, David Skattebo and Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff met with an incarcerated individual and an ASL interpreter to discuss an active case investigation. OCO staff also met cell front with several individuals who have cases in the MCC-IMU. During the visit, an individual in crisis asked to speak with OCO, so we met with him and opened a new case for his concern. OCO staff then met with individuals in MCC-SRTC, both about open cases and systemic concerns.
OCO Staff: Sara Appleton and Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO had been contacted by concerned residents in R2 about an individual with health issues. The OCO contacted the individual and provided that person with information. OCO staff also listened to concerns about timely transfers to other facitlities (more than 60 days in R2).
OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Stella Spracklin andf Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff attended weekly meeting at BPC, informing members that the OCO will be stepping aside as temporary sponsor. The OCO met with the facility Superintendent about the cultural groups and sponsorship issues.
January 2026= 7 Visits
OCO Staff: Sara Appleton and Ollie Web
OCO Action: OCO staff attended the MCC-TRU Alliances LGBTQ meeting and met with individuals about concerns and shared self-advocacy information.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff conducted an unannouced visit in R2 in response to issues about overcrowding and lengthy waiting times for transfer to other facitlities. OCO staff also attended the Concerned Lifer's Organization where a presentation was done by the League of Women Voters Rep about pending legislation.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Madison Vinson
OCO Action: OCO staff conducted cell front and day room visits with individuals in the pods of the IMU at SRTC. OCO staff also met with individuals in the close observation area.
OCO Staff: Finn Shinnick, Heather Bates and Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff met with an incarcerated individual that has worked on the PEAR community advisory committee.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff attended the second monthly meeting of the Concerned Lifer's Organization, OCO spoke with members about current legislation and new bills.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO Action: OCO staff met with Supt. Douglas and gave a brief talk about the Construction Pathways committees' work to new class in the CTAP program.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Madison Vinson and Angee Schrader
OCO Action: OCO staff met with individuals in the Crossroads program at MSU, visited other units, met with incarcerated indivduals and met with Superintendent Warner.
