The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through November 15, 2015
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DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
DIVISION 145
GROUP ACTIVITIES (INMATE)
291-145-0005
Authority, Purpose and Policy
(1) Authority: The authority for this rule is granted to the Director of the Department of Corrections in accordance with ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 and 423.075.
(2) Purpose: To define guidelines for the delivery and access to inmate group activities programs within Department of Corrections facilities.
(3) Policy: It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to involve as many inmates, staff, volunteers, outside agencies, and community resources as practical in the correctional process as it relates to group activities. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary that definite guidelines be established to govern and evaluate the merit of all inmate group activities. No person shall be denied the opportunity to participate in group activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or handicap.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Stats. Implemented: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Hist.: CD 23-1978, f. 9-13-78, ef. 9-15-78; CD 61-1985, f. & ef. 8-16-85; CD 10-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-26-88; CD 23-1992, f. 11-16-92, cert. ef. 12-1-92
291-145-0010
Definitions
(1) "Club": An approved inmate group that represents a significant segment of an inmate population with a common social or cultural interest.
(2) "Functional Unit Manager": Any person within the Department of Corrections who reports to either the Director, an assistant director, or an administrator and has responsibility for the delivery of program services or coordination of program operations.
(3) "Religious Group": An approved inmate group with a common purpose to pursue their preferred religious practice.
(4) "Special Interest Group": An approved inmate group with a specific educational interest and a common goal.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Stats. Implemented: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Hist.: CD 23-1978, f. 9-13-78, ef. 9-15-78; CD 61-1985, f. & ef. 8-16-85; CD 10-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-26-88; CD 23-1992, f. 11-16-92, cert. ef. 12-1-92
Procedures
291-145-0015
Recognition and Control
(1) All inmate group activities will be under the administrative control and responsibility of the Department of Corrections staff. The functional unit manager or designee must approve all groups and activities of groups.
(2) Before any group activity is approved, the sponsoring group or person must submit a brief written statement to the functional unit manager or designee describing the particulars of the proposed activity. All proposed group activities must outline the intended goals and objectives, the planned number of inmates involved, frequency and time of meetings, equipment (whether provided or needed), estimated space and furnishings, funding requirements, qualifications for membership, anticipated special events, and publications related to the proposed activity. If the group is requesting to be a club, a proposed constitution must be submitted.
(3) Any groups designated as a club must meet the following criteria:
(a) Furthers the facility's interest in safety and security;
(b) If interaction with the public is approved, it must be in accordance with the purpose of the club;
(c) All constitutions of clubs must be annually approved by the functional unit manager or designee, and follow a format that includes:
(A) Name;
(B) Community affiliation (if any);
(C) Purpose;
(D) Membership qualifications: Inmates will not be denied permission to participate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age or handicap;
(E) Government structure;
(F) Officer's duties;
(G) Elections: All inmates elected to club offices must have the approval of the functional unit manager or designee. All elections will be held by secret ballot. An assigned staff will be present during all elections and supervise the counting of all ballots;
(H) Committee;
(I) Rules and regulations; and
(J) Proposed constitutional amendments: The functional unit manager will have final approval on all requested constitutional amendments.
(4) Any group designated as a special interest group must not exceed available facilities and staff constraints.
(5) Any group designated as a religious group will be consistent with the Department of Corrections rules on Religious Activities.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Stats. Implemented: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Hist.: CD 23-1978, f. 9-13-78, ef. 9-15-78; CD 61-1985, f. & ef. 8-16-85; CD 10-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-26-88; CD 23-1992, f. 11-16-92, cert. ef. 12-1-92
291-145-0020
Membership, Meetings, and Activities
(1) A waiting list may be maintained for the groups with limited membership. The functional unit manager or designee may deny, revoke, or suspend individual or group activities for inmate conduct that is disruptive to group activities or institutional operations. Group activities must follow an agenda approved by designated staff. Inmate group activities will conform to planned agenda and/or activities. Inmate social visiting will not be permitted.
(2) Inmates nominated to club offices must have approval of the functional unit manager or designee. An inmate will not be a group officer of more than one group, and will not be permitted to be a member of more than three groups at a time.
(3) Group officer elections will be conducted by secret ballot. The assigned designated staff will be present during all elections and will supervise the counting of all ballots.
(4) An inmate is considered a "member in good standing" of a group if the inmate has been a member of the group for at least two months and has attended at least 50 percent of the available meetings since becoming a member.
(5) The functional unit manager or designee may approve a group trust account to receive contributions and make expenditures. Operations of the trust account must be in accordance with the Department of Corrections rule on Trust Account (Inmate). If the group is terminated or is inactive for more than one calendar year, unobligated funds will be transferred to the Inmate Welfare Fund.
(6) The functional unit manager or designee must approve all group donations. Group donations will become property of the Department of Corrections and will be properly recorded and tagged in accordance with the Department of Corrections rule on Inventory and Property Control.
(7) Inmate groups may be permitted by the functional unit manager to use a monitored telephone for approved group business. These calls will be monitored and recorded by assigned staff. All phone costs incurred by groups will be paid by the specific group on a monthly basis. Calling card systems may be established to regulate billing and monitoring systems. Inmates placing calls for a group must be approved by the functional unit manager or designee.
(8) A schedule for group meetings will be adopted by designated staff and made available to the inmate population.
(9) Attendance records will be maintained for all group meetings by designated staff. Failure to attend general meetings may result in loss of membership.
(10) All group activities must be specifically approved annually by the functional unit manager or designee.
(11) All incoming and outgoing materials must have the approval of the functional unit manager or designee. All materials entering the facility become the property of the Department of Corrections which does not assume any responsibility for materials damaged, lost or destroyed.
(12) Annual awards banquets may be allowed to groups:
(a) Award banquets provide the inmate group members the opportunity to acquaint their approved visitors with the aims and goals of the group. Group functions are to provide opportunities to experience new social relationships through group participation;
(b) An inmate who participates in an awards banquet must be a member in good standing. Each member may invite one personal guest from his/her visiting list upon approval of the functional unit manager or designee;
(c) All food items for banquets must be obtained through the functional unit's Food Services Section.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Stats. Implemented: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Hist.: CD 23-1978, f. 9-13-78, ef. 9-15-78; CD 61-1985, f. & ef. 8-16-85; CD 10-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-26-88; CD 23-1992, f. 11-16-92, cert. ef. 12-1-92
291-145-0025
Volunteers, Guests, and Sponsors
(1) Persons working with groups may be given volunteer status in accordance with the Department of Corrections rules on "Volunteer Services".
(2) All guests at institution group functions must be approved in advance by the functional unit manager or designee for each meeting and supervised at all times.
(3) A speaker, guest, or volunteer escort for all institution group functions may not be a relative of or on an inmate's visiting list, unless specifically exempted by the functional unit manager or designee, or according to the provisions in the Department of Corrections rules on "Visiting (Inmate)". Ex-felons or persons currently under Department of Corrections supervision are not permitted on facility premises without prior written authorization from the functional unit manager or designee.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Stats. Implemented: ORS 179.040, ORS 423.020, ORS 423.030 & ORS 423.075
Hist.: CD 23-1978, f. 9-13-78, ef. 9-15-78; CD 61-1985, f. & ef. 8-16-85; CD 10-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-26-88; CD 23-1992, f. 11-16-92, cert. ef. 12-1-92
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