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.
Total OCO Monitoring Visits in 2023 = 87
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals in the their living units at TRU. Individuals were able to speak directly with OCO staff members as the team visited each living unit and tier. OCO staff also met with members of the facility leadership. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO attended the biweekly meeting of the Black Prisoner's Caucus and met with incarcerated individuals following the meeting. OCO Staff: Heather Bates & Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Winter Event for incarcerated individuals and their families. OCO met with DOC staff, incarcerated individuals, and their loved ones. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with facility leadership and residents in the WSR, IMU, and in the newly named Sky River Treatment Unit, (SRTU) formerly known as SOU.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO attended a meeting of the Black Prisoners Caucus and later met with several of the participants. The OCO also visited the receiving units R 1, 2, and 3. The OCO also visited the Pine living unit, formerly R-6 which has been repurposed as the facility reentry living unit. The OCO had the opportunity to meet with individual participants and staff members who are part of the reentry team. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited individuals in the IMU and in the living units. OCO staff also met with the Superintendent prior to their departure from the facility. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Harvest Festival for the incarcedrated and their loved ones. OCO met with staff, incarcerated individuals, and their family and friends. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton, Heather Bates, Caitlin Robertson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with Health Services Staff, Unit Staff, and Facility Leadership; toured the facility; and spoke directly with incarcerated individuals in various living units.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff were invited and attended the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Event for residents, family, and friends. They visited with incarcerated individuals, their family and friends, and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with Supt. White (TRU) and Supt. Warner (SOU) and visited with staff of the MCC mailroom. During the visit, OCO staff observed mail processing procedures, including how materials are examined, approved, or rejected, according to DOC policy. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff, as part of the Solitary Confinement Workgroup, visited the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) and conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated people in the Olympic and Cascade living units, toured the facility, and met with DOC staff. OCO Staff: E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with SCCC tier reps and the Director of Nursing to discuss health services concerns and questions. SCCC Health Services Manager and the Director of Nursing agreed to attend regular meetings with the tier reps. Tier reps requested OCO follow up in January. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff, as part of the Solitary Confinement Workgroup, visited the Intensive Management Units (IMUs) North and South and conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. OCO staff also visited the no closed portions of the old prison and inspected areas used in the past for solitary confinement and for isolation of individuals who had tested COVID-19 positive or exhibited COVID-19 symptoms during the height of the pandemic. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff, as part of the Solitary Confinement Workgroup, visited the Intensive Management Units (IMUs) North and South and conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. The OCO also visited the Close Observation Area (COA) in the health services building and spoke with incarcerated people housed in the COA and met with members of the unit staff. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Rebecca Glosser, Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Jessica Means, Chase Rapach, Caitlin Robertson, Angee Schrader, David Skattebo, Stella Spracklin, Madison Vinson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: The OCO staff met with representatives of the incarcerated population and held two quarterly community meetings inside the prison. OCO staff also conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, Angee Schrader, Stella Spracklin, Madison Vinson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with CBCC DOC Leadership and toured the facility. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited the Secured Housing Unit (SHU) as part of the OCO Solitary Confinement Workgroup and met with staff and incarcerated individuals.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff were invited and attended the Black Prisoner's Caucus (BPC) meeting. Following the meeting, Zak met with individuals in the Cedar Living Unit. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO was invited and the OCO Director attended the Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Event for residents, family, and friends. She me with incarcerated individuals, their family and friends, and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & E.V. Webb OCO Action: The OCO was invited and Zak attended the powwow for residents, family, and friends. He also met with individuals in the living units following the conclusion of the event. E.V. toured the infirmary, COA, and medical building with the Health Services Manager (HSM). The HSM agreed to schedule and attend an upcoming meeting with the OCO and SCCC tier reps to discuss health services at the facility. E.V. also met with individuals in their living units. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff met with Tier Representatives from the various living units and also visited the Intensive Management Units and examined the Close Observation Area (COA). OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO was invited and Zak Kinneman attended the powwow for residents, family, and friends. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman met with the facility staff, incarcerated individuals, and visited the secured housing unit. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) with DOC staff. Zak and Madison visited two of the living units and met with individuals in the units as well as those involved in the dog program. OCO staff also attended a reentry graduation for six students. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Special Management Unit (SMU) and met with DOC staff in the morning. In afternoon, OCO staff met with individuals in various living units and toured CI food operations. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member, Zak Kinneman, visited the Secured Housing Unit at MCCCW, which is currently unoccupied. Zak also met with the Superintendent and interviewed individuals in the Bear and Gold Creek units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff were invited to attend an outdoor activity, sponsored by DOC staff, for the incarcerated population living in the Special Offender Unit (SOU). In response to the issues raised by individuals at TRU, the OCO examined and tested showers in the unit. Facility maintenance and the Superintendent were subsequently notified of the findings. OCO staff also met with individuals in the unit. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member, Zak Kinneman, met with the Superintendent and visited the Secured Housing Unit adjacent to the Cascade living unit. Zak also visited the SHU that is located in another part of the camp facility. During COVID, this unit was used for isolation purposes. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Caitlin Robertson, Elisabeth Kingsbury, E.V. Webb, Kristine Dibble, Madison Vinson, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff members spent time in the Intensive Management Unit visiting with incarcerated individuals and DOC staff. OCO staff also toured the updated reception center with facility leadership and observed the newly installed body scanner that was required by SB 5695 (2021-22). OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff member, E.V. Webb, attended a scheduled facility-wide tier representative meeting and met with individuals in their living units. Subsequently, they joined Angee Schrader and Zak Kinneman conducting cell front visits with individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member, Zak Kinneman, attended the SOU tier representative meeting with Unit Representatives and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Kristine Dibble & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff members hosted a conversation with tier reps, medical tier reps, and DOC HQ staff working on the Washington Way (Amend), as a follow-up to a previous stakeholder meeting at TRU in which people asked for additional information about Amend. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff members attended the regularly scheduled Tier Rep meeting for the Evergreen and Cedar living units. Following the meeting, OCO staff visited individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director made an unannounced Sunday visit to observe visitation, meet with individuals, and observe dinner in the dining hall. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff members held an OCO-only meeting with tier representatives from the Fox Unit. We also met with specific individuals in the Baker, Adams, and Rainier (BAR) living units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff members, Stella Spracklin and Zak Kinneman, made an unannounced morning visit to CRCC to address issues brought to the OCO's attention. Specific issues addressed concerned the kitchen dishwashing area and evening light use in one living unit. The OCO staff also met with individual residents during the visit. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff member, Angee Schrader, attended a meeting and tour with Senate Members of the Human Services Committee and DOC staff in the morning. In the afternoon, Stella Spracklin and Zak Kinneman joined her for an OCO-only meeting with tier representatives from the Victor and Williams living units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO attended the scheduled AHCC Main Tier Rep monthly meeting with staff and representatives from the various living units. We also met with a patient in the IPU (infirmary). OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman, Stella Spracklin, and David Skattebo OCO Action: OCO staff traveled to SCCC to walk through the living units and speak with a few individuals that have open complaints with our office. The OCO visited the dayrooms in H1, H3, H5, and H6 then did cell fronts in the IMU. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Monroe Correctional Complex meeting with facility leadership and unit management and individuals currently housed in the IMU & SOU. The OCO staff did cell front visits in thes units and visited with people in the outdoor recreational areas and the unit day rooms. OCO Staff: All Staff OCO Action: OCO staff met with WSP leadership, incarcerated individuals, and visited IMU North and IMU South. In the afternoon, the OCO staff met with representatives of Victor and Williams and presented our 2nd Quarter Stakeholder Updates. OCO Staff: All Staff OCO Action: OCO staff met with WSP leadership, incarcerated individuals, and visited the East Complex (Units: 6 & 8), the West Complex (Units: Delta, Echo, and Fox), the South Complex (the BAR units), and the Sustainable Practices Lab.
OCO Staff: Chase Rapach, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff attended the WCCW Pride Celebration. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO visited Tier Representatives in the Victor Medium Security Unit to discuss the upcoming OCO Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting at WSP. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO visited Tier Representatives in the Williams Medium Security Unit to discuss the upcoming OCO Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting at WSP. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited with people living in Cascade and Olympic living units and met with the Superintendent. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff observed the Resource Group working with incarcerated individuals in the IMU, spoke directly with the incarcerated individuals, and discussed the facility's progress with the Washington Way (the Amend initiative). OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: In response to multiple critical incidents that occurred in the units the previous weekend, the OCO Director met with incarcerated individuals and staff in the BAR units. She also met with the Superintendent to discuss the facility's response to the incidents. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with members of WCC Leadership and toured the updated areas in the reception center, including the mobile medical unit (tent). OCO staff met with leaders of the Streamlining Reception Services Project, and discussed the current status of the reception redesign, including the immediate goal to eliminate floor sleepers. The OCO's recommendations in the Unexpected Fatality Review Committee Report for UFR-22-032, include changing the male reception facility standard housing model which allowed for three incarcerated individuals to be housed in each room, two in bunks and one on the floor. The OCO considers the option of housing someone on the floor unacceptable and suggested that the DOC eliminate this option in its standard housing model. The OCO Director will continue to monitor the reception redesign project's process. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO visited WCCCW in an unannounced visit, meeting with incarcerated individuals in the MSU where HVAC repairs and modifications are being made during hot weather. The work is nearly completed, and during the visit to the day rooms, the OCO observed DOC staff taking temperature readings between 72 and 74 degrees in the respective tiers. The OCO also met with the incarcerated members of the kitchen staff shortly after the AM meal services as well as those individuals working in the grounds maintenance. The OCO also met with the Director of the Dog Program. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO Director Caitlin Robertson and staff member Zak Kinneman visited CRCC to attend graduation ceremonies for individuals who have successfully completed programs offered through Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). Of special note, this was the first in the facility graduation ceremony at CRCC since the COVID Pandemic began, and the first ever award of Bachelor of Applied Science degrees by WWCC to students from CRCC. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO Director Caitlin Robertson and staff member Zak Kinneman met with Tier Reps from the Victor and Williams units. Residents and OCO staff attended an hour-long outdoor concert for the incarcerated later that night. 
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman attended a Global Tier Rep Meeting and met with individuals and staff at the facility in Connell, WA. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited and met with incarcerated individuals and staff and attended an Asian and Pacific Islander (API) cultural event for incarcerated individuals and their families. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman made an unannounced visit to the Twin Rivers facility to observe conditions in the living units during the record setting heat wave. The OCO spoke with residents in A, B, C, and D units noting concerns with the adequacy of the facility's response to the intense heat. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited CBCC meeting with incarcerated individuals, the Superintendent, and other staff members. During a tour of the kitchen, the OCO was able to observe a commercial baking class for kitchen workers being taught by a volunteer who provides baking services for a Pt. Angeles restaurant. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited OCC and had the opportunity to meet with the incarcerated individuals and some of their family members taking part in a Mother's Day event sponsored by the facility. OCO Staff: E.V. Webb, Jessica Means, and Kristine Dibble OCO Action: OCO staff met with a patient in the infirmary and conducted a walkthrough of the SOU Close Observation Area (COA). The OCO also held a meeting with the MCC-TRU tier and medical reps as requested by incarcerated stakeholders at the April 26th OCO Quarterly Meeting. DOC Health Services Leadership agreed to follow up with another medical rep meeting to discuss further medical concerns of incarcerated individuals. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: While visiting incarcerated individuals in the Cascade living unit, OCO staff member Zak Kinneman observed facility staff revive an individual who had collapsed as the result of a suspected drug overdose. The individual was promptly transported to an area hospital for treatment. It was later learned that the individual was released from the hospital and returned to the facility the following day. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: During the Quarterly Meeting on April 26th, a loved one of an incarcerated individual at LCC expressed concerns about summer heat and what steps would be taken by DOC to keep the population at LCC cool and safe during periods of extreme heat. OCO staff member Zak Kinneman traveled to LCC on May 1st to speak with staff about the LCC heat mitigation plan.
OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Tianna Carin-Wardlaw, Kristine Dibble, Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Rebecca Glosser OCO Action: In preparation for the 2nd Quarterly Stakeholder's meeting, OCO staff toured TRU and visited with individuals in Unit A. OCO Staff: David Skattebo and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO Staff: Kristine Dibble and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff went through the new body scanner at the public entrance, observed the dry cells, and visited the incarcerated individuals in the living units. OCO Staff: Tianna Cain-Wardlaw, Zachary Kinneman, and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: The OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals in the living units, interacted with the dog program, and toured the facility. Highlights of the tour were the law library, the chapel, and the property room. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: In direct response to concerns raised by incarcerated individuals about conditions in the kitchen, the OCO toured the facility kitchens and observed operations. OCO staff met with workers during the walk-through without DOC staff present, then met separately with DOC staff. The OCO staff observed a clean and orderly kitchen with no obvious signs of mold, as reported. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member attended an in-person meeting of the Local Family Council. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC staff and with residents of the Therapeutic Community in Gold Unit. OCO staff provided information about the OCO and the DOC's resolution program on-site to the residents. The OCO confirmed with the residents that facility issues with heating/cooling were resolved. Before leaving, the OCO staff visited with the facility's new miniature horses in their stalls.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the monthly Tier Representative Meeting, met with incarcerated individuals in the living units, and met with DOC staff. OCO Staff: Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zachary Kinneman, and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff completed informal wellness checks with incarcerated individuals living in the SOU units, including the COA (close observation areas). OCO staff met with DOC staff and toured WSRU including the infirmary and visited with facility leadership at TRU and SOU. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the monthly Tier Representative Meeting for MSU (the camp), met with incarcerated individuals in the living units, and met with DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC staff and incarcerated individuals in the living units. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson, PhD OCO Action: The OCO Director made an unannounced visit to ascertain the current conditions of specific residential level of care cells and to check on the welfare of a particular patient. After visiting the treatment unit with the Captain, she met with the Superintendent and Associate Superintendent. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with staff and incarcerated individuals in the living units. OCO Staff visited with incarcerated individuals in various day rooms, provided self-advocacy information, and answered questions about the scope and limitations of the OCO work. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with two incarcerated individuals with open complaints with the OCO. In addition to providing self-advocacy information to the incarcerated, OCO staff served as a witness to a planned medical transport for one of the patients.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, & Angee Schrader OCO Action: On a Saturday, the OCO met with DOC staff working in the Close Observation Area (COA) and discussed unit processes and procedures. Information gathered will be used by the OCO during an unexpected fatality review committee meeting. The OCO also visited with specific individuals in the IMU as part of our ongoing case investigation work. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO met with the leadership team at AHCC and attended the Tier Rep Meetings in Main and the MSU. The OCO toured C4 and N Units and addressed concerns and immediate issues onsite with DOC staff. Additionally, while at AHCC, the OCO learned that the facility was out of carbon copy resolution forms and was using a copied version. After the OCO's visit, the facility placed an order of 2,000 carbon copy resolution forms. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO met with the new Associate Superintendent and toured the minimum-security camp. During the tour, the OCO met with individuals in several living units and addressed concerns and immediate issues onsite with DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO visited with specific individuals in Baker, Adams, and Rainier Units (BAR Units) and later met with members of the WSP leadership team. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director met with the leadership team at MCC-TRU/WSR/MSU to tour the Twin Rivers Unit and the Minimum Security Unit to identify areas of needed improvement for the health and safety of the people living and working in the units. The 4th purpose of the OCO is to identify system issues and responses for the governor and the legislature to act upon. This OCO visit is part of our ongoing work to help advocate for improved living conditions and updated physical buildings in which people in our state's prisons live and work. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director toured the Nisqually Corrections Center, a contracted facility in which people under the jurisdiction of the DOC (often called "violators") may be housed. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC staff, toured the camp's kitchen facility, and viewed renovations underway in the Olympic Living Unit. After receiving multiple complaints about a rodent infestation in the kitchen, OCO staff found the kitchen and food storage areas clean, organized, and sanitary. Facility staff provided details about ongoing pest management practices and proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Caitlin Robertson, Heather Bates, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: On a Saturday, OCO staff members conducted cell front meetings with incarcerated individuals in the Intensive Management Unit and with residents of the G Unit in the dayrooms. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO did an unannounced visit and conducted cell front visits and opened new cases with individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff: The Whole Team! OCO Action: The entire OCO staff traveled to Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Washington, to conduct our first quarterly meeting for stakeholders in a DOC facility for men. Attending the meeting were Tier Representatives from the residential units Cedar and Evergreen, leaders of cultural and community groups at WCC, members of the WCC executive leadership team, a member of the Reentry Division leadership team, and representatives from the DOC Engagement & Outreach Team. OCO staff reviewed the 4th Quarter 2022 results via a PowerPoint presentation that will be available later on the OCO website. Presenters discussed case resolutions and outcomes; reviewed case intake issues by facility; hotline utilization; and provided insight for the stakeholders into the OCO case intake, investigation, and resolution process. Stakeholders directly asked OCO staff, WCC leadership, and HQ staff questions and received answers following. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director met with WCC staff and people living at WCC to discuss preparations for the following day's public quarterly meeting. After prep meeting, met with the IMU CUS to discuss an unexpected fatality that occurred the day before in that unit.
June - December 2022 = 49 completed monitoring visits
*prior to June 2022, the OCO completed facility visits but did not publish a summary.
OCO Staff: Sara Appleton & Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO Staff: Chase Rapach & E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals as part of an ongoing series of visits in preparation for our January Public Meeting. On this visit, OCO staff met at cell fronts in every pod of the IMU. Every individual who desired to speak with OCO staff had the opportunity to voice their concerns and those who needed it were provided with review request forms and/or self-advocacy information. Population concerns brought to our attention include: the issuing of property in the IMU, recreation time in the lower R's, Out of State transfer timelines, and the Securus tablet program. OCO staff checked the phones in the gym for access to the OCO Hotline. Individual concerns received were entered into our case management system and assigned to an OCO staff member to review for next steps. OCO staff also mediated a conversation between a DOC Health Services Manager and an incarcerated patient regarding health services and housing concerns. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Chase Rapach OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals as part of an ongoing series of visits in preparation for our January Public Meeting. On this visit, the OCO staff met with residents in the Cedar living unit. We provided an open forum for questions, complaints, and requests for assistance in all the dayrooms of the living unit. The concerns brought to the OCO attention were mainly about issues with the newly installed phone system, classification concerns, a lack of recreational access, limited programming opportunities, and language translation issues. All concerns were entered into our case management system and assigned to an OCO staff member to review for next steps. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Chase Rapach OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals as part of an ongoing series of visits in preparation for our January Public Meeting. Today's meeting was held in the dayrooms of Evergreen and we met exclusively with the incarcerated people. Topics of concern were post COVID visiting issues, custody and classification issues, and individual health care needs. All concerns were entered into our case management system and assigned to an OCO staff member to review for next steps.
Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson
OCO in Action: OCO staff met with cultural/community group leaders and tier representatives to listen and speak directly with incarcerated people and to prepare for our January Public Meeting. After the group meeting, OCO staff visited the Intensive Management Unit (restrictive housing).
Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO in Action: OCO staff went to MCCCW to investigate complaints about a lack of heat in one of the living units. The OCO staff toured the living unit, spoke with many residents, spoke with the plant manager and staff, and saw the temporary heating equipment brought in by the DOC being used in the facility. We verified that the interior temperatures are being monitored and logged daily and that MCCCW residents are receiving extra clothing and blankets if needed.
Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO in Action: OCO staff followed-up in person on specific complaints for people living in Twin Rivers Unit.
Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO in Action: OCO staff followed-up in person on specific complaints and general concerns related to the wildfire evacuation.
Staff: Caitlin Robertson
OCO in Action: OCO staff toured the health services building, met with WCC Health Services Leadership, and spoke with many patients in the waiting areas.
Staff: Caitlin Robertson
OCO in Action: OCO staff observed the day-one DOC receiving process (people coming in from county jails; being processed through initial intake: physical and mental health and PREA; and receiving shoes, clothing, and minimum hygiene supplies). OCO staff also had conversations with many people housed in R4 and observed unit operations.
Staff: Zak Kinneman and Chase Rapach
OCO in Action: OCO staff met cell-front with most people housed in IMU. Conversations were mostly about duration of time in segregation/isolation (many with 100+ days) and the AMEND project. We also spoke about health concerns and COVID quarantine/isolation. OCO staff did some intake of complaints and provided self-advocacy on-site.
Staff: Chase Rapach
OCO in Action: On-site investigative casework, including explanation of how we do our casework..
Staff: EV Webb, Chase Rapach, Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: The first of two-facility wide planned visits with Health Care team
Outcome: Team conducted interviews in required full PPE with individuals in quarantined G unit.
Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: Checked in with individuals evacuated from Larch Corrections Center and transferred to Washington Corrections Center IMU.
Outcome: Cell front visits with individuals in IMU. Concerns about placement in R units at WCC, personal property accessibility and obtaining medications left behind at LCC.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: Interview individuals evacuated from Larch Correctional Center to Cedar Creek as result of Nakia Creek Fire in Clark County. Contact CCCC /Larch staff about evacuation issues.
Outcome: Incarcerated individuals shared concerns about EFV’s scheduled at Larch for coming weeks, potential losses of personal property and needs for clothing.
OCO Staff: Carolina Landa
Purpose: OCO visited the facility to participate in an informal mediation with an incarcerated person and the CPM.
Outcome: Incarcerated person was able to negotiate wanted outcome for themselves.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: Tour facility and meet with staff and individuals in the Reentry Center
Outcome: Facility is undergoing an extensive renovation project to exterior walls and systems. Two resident wings are closeud during the construction project limited the total number of residents.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman, Carolina Landa, and Caitlin Robertson
Purpose: Tour MCCCW and meet with incarcerated individuals.
Outcome: OCO Director and two staff members met with individuals in all units about ongoing concerns and current OCO cases. The OCO staff met with Supt. Miller and discussed facility trends and specific problems that DOC could immediately address.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: OCO visited the facility in response to numerous concerns raised by incarcerated individuals about Covid restrictions and practices via the OCO Hotline.
Outcome: Met with incarcerated individuals at WCC in their living units and provided information and assistance where appropriate.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: OCO visit was part of a DOC sponsored series of visits to facilities with members of the state legislature and their staff.
Outcome: Toured facilities, met with incarcerated individuals in their workplaces, and attended presentation by Assistant Secretary for the Women's Prison Divsion, Jeannie Darneille, regarding the capital needs of the facility.
September 12 Facility Visits
WCCW: September 30th
MCC-MSU: September 28th
WCCW: September 25th
WSP: September 22nd
CBCC: September 21st
CRCC: September 21st
OCC: September 21st
CCCC: September 15th
WCCW: September 13th
MCC-MSU & MCC-TRU: September 7th
WCCW: September 7th
WCCW: September 1st
AUGUST: 7 Facility Visits
SCCC: August 31st
SCCC: August 30th
Brownstone: August 24th
AHCC: August 23rd
McNeil Island: August 9th
SCCC: August 4th
WSP: August 4th
JULY: 2 Facility Visits
MCC-TRU: July 19th
SCCC: July 12th
JUNE: 8 Facility Visits
WCC: June 21st
MCC-SOU: June 15th
WSP: June 10th
CBCC: June 9th
CRCC: June 9th
AHCC: June 8th
OCC: June 8th
MCC-SOU: June 3rd