Kulongoski rejects prison closure

October 28, 2002

Don Loving, Director, Oregon AFSCME Public Affairs

PENDLETON — Ted Kulongoski does not favor closing prisons as a way of balancing the state budget. To emphasize that point, the Democrat candidate for governor toured both Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution here and Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla on Oct. 26 as part of an Eastern Oregon campaign swing.

But quick on the heels of Kulongoski's visits is the latest memo from Interim Corrections Superintendent Ben deHaan. deHann's Oct. 28 memo says the DOC is now targeting five institutions for closure rather than eight, and that the closure date has been moved up to Feb. 1, 2003 rather than March 1.

The closure list now includes Columbia River Correctional Institution in Portland, Oregon State Correctional Institution and Oregon State Penitentiary Minimum (the old OWCC) in Salem, and Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in North Bend and EOCI.

Mr. deHann says the closures would result in the release of 3,360 inmates statewide and the layoff of 923 DOC employees.

"This (plan) requires approval of legislation to permit inmate release," said deHaan. "Currently, the DOC has no such authority. The authority must be approved by the new Legislature in January or the plan cannot be implemented."

Mary Botkin, the Senior Political Coordinator for Oregon AFSCME and Council 75's lead Corrections lobbyist, says getting the Legislature to grant release authority to the DOC will not be easy.

"There are many reasons to oppose that idea," said Botkin. "Most importantly, you totally usurp the authority of the Oregon Parole Board and through the board, public input on the process. Even in the face of this budget crisis, getting release authority will be a tough sell for the DOC."

Kulongoski has made clear several times at AFSCME-related appearances he is opposed to public safety cuts, prison closures and/or prison privatization.

"Public safety is the key, in my mind, to a healthy economy," Kulongoski told the audience at the Oregon AFSCME Public Safety Conference in Portland in mid-October. "If people don’t feel safe … if businesses and companies don’t feel they're operating in a safe environment … you won’t have an economic recovery. People won't pass bonds and levies for schools if they feel their children aren't safe at those schools.

"Our entire economy revolves around the concept of 'public safety.' I don't want to see further cuts to any public safety budgets, I don't want to close any state prisons and I certainly am against privatizing our state prisons."

Kulongoski reiterated those points during his stops at both EOCI and TRCI. Accompanied by Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Ken Allen, Kulongoski stretched as much time as he could into his hectic campaign schedule to greet DOC employees at both facilities.

"I think Kulongoski has the best interests of Corrections in mind," said Tom Wright of Local 974 (TRCI). "I'll be voting for him. I think he will work hard for public employees and push to maintain PERS."  

Bruce Anglin agrees.

"I think Kulongoski has what it takes to fix the problems we face in Oregon," said Anglin, of Local 2376 (Security-Plus) at EOCI. "He has my support."

Anglin is particularly concerned about EOCI remaining on the possible closure list.

"My own situation aside, it would be a devastating loss to the local economy here in Pendleton," he said. "EOCI is kind of 'it' here in Pendleton. It would be a huge blow to the community if the prison closed."