Oregon State Penitentiary is the oldest prison in Oregon and operates as a multi-custody institution. Originally called the Oregon Territory Jail, the Penitentiary has been sited at three separate locations. The Territory Jail was built in April 1842 in Oregon City, then the capital of Oregon. The prison is currently located in Salem, Oregon, and houses over 2,000 inmates.
The prison is known for its maximum-security unit, which houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the state. The Penitentiary also has a death row unit, where inmates who have been sentenced to death by lethal injection are housed. The prison’s other units include minimum, medium, and close-custody units. Inmates are assigned to different units based on their behavior, criminal history, and other factors.
Visitation is allowed at Oregon State Penitentiary, but visitors must follow strict rules and regulations. Non-emergency medications, cash, and other negotiable instruments are not allowed in the visiting room. Smoking of any kind is also prohibited within the prison and on state property. Visitors are required to fill out a visiting application and must ensure that their visiting status is up-to-date before visiting an inmate.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 2,222 |
| Physical Address | 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310 |
| Mailing Address | 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (503) 378-2453 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
The Oregon State Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison located in Salem, Oregon. It is the oldest prison in Oregon and is operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections. The facility is designed to house some of the most dangerous and violent inmates in the state.
Location
The Oregon State Penitentiary is located at 2605 State Street in Salem, Oregon. The facility is situated on a 120-acre campus that includes several buildings and structures. The prison is located in the northeast corner of Salem, just off Interstate 5.
History
The Oregon State Penitentiary was established in 1866, shortly after Oregon became a state. The original facility was located in Portland, but it was moved to Salem in 1868. Over the years, the prison has undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate the growing inmate population. Today, the Oregon State Penitentiary is the largest and oldest prison in the state.
Capacity
The Oregon State Penitentiary has a capacity of 2,222 inmates. The facility houses male inmates. In addition to maximum-security inmates, the prison also houses inmates in medium and minimum-security units. The Oregon State Penitentiary is one of 14 state prisons in Oregon, and it is the only one that houses death row inmates.
Overall, the Oregon State Penitentiary is a significant facility within the Oregon Department of Corrections. It has a long history of housing some of the most dangerous and violent inmates in the state, and it continues to play a vital role in the state’s correctional system.
Facilities
The Oregon State Penitentiary is one of the largest correctional facilities in Oregon, housing over 2,000 adult male inmates. The prison has several facilities, including an infirmary, high wall, metal shop, and furniture factory.
Infirmary
The infirmary at the Oregon State Penitentiary provides medical care to the inmates. The facility has a staff of medical professionals who provide a range of services, including routine check-ups, emergency care, and mental health services. Inmates who require specialized care are transferred to other facilities.
High Wall
The high wall is a security feature of the Oregon State Penitentiary. The wall surrounds the entire facility and is over 25 feet high. The wall is designed to prevent inmates from escaping and to deter outsiders from attempting to enter the facility.
Metal Shop
The metal shop at the Oregon State Penitentiary is a vocational training program that teaches inmates how to weld and fabricate metal products. The program provides inmates with valuable job skills that they can use after their release from prison. Inmates who participate in the program can earn certifications that are recognized by employers in the metal fabrication industry.
Furniture Factory
The furniture factory at the Oregon State Penitentiary is another vocational training program that teaches inmates how to build furniture. The program provides inmates with the skills they need to work in the furniture manufacturing industry. Inmates who participate in the program can earn certifications that are recognized by employers in the furniture industry.
Overall, the facilities at the Oregon State Penitentiary are designed to provide inmates with the skills and resources they need to successfully reintegrate into society after their release from prison.
Inmate Life
Life inside Oregon State Penitentiary is highly structured and regimented. Inmates have limited freedom of movement and are subject to strict rules and regulations. However, the prison administration does make an effort to provide inmates with recreational activities, access to mail, and visitation rights.
Recreation
Inmates at Oregon State Penitentiary have access to a variety of recreational activities, including indoor and outdoor sports, exercise equipment, and educational programs. The prison has a gymnasium, basketball courts, and a weight room for inmates to use. Additionally, the prison offers educational programs, such as GED classes and vocational training, to help inmates develop skills and prepare for life after release.
Inmates are allowed to send and receive mail while incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary. Incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband before being delivered to the inmate. Outgoing mail is also inspected before being sent out. Inmates are not allowed to receive packages from home, but they can receive books and magazines that are sent directly from the publisher.
Visiting Hours
Inmates at Oregon State Penitentiary are allowed to have visitors, but they must follow strict rules and regulations. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list and must pass a background check before being allowed to visit. Visiting hours are limited and visitors must arrive early to allow time for processing.
- General Population
- Every day:
- 7:15 am – 10:15 am
- 12:15 pm – 3:45 pm
- Every day:
- Special Management Housing
- Every day
- 8:00 am – 10:00 am
- 11:30 am – 1:45 pm
- Every day
Behavioral Health Unit
Oregon State Penitentiary has a Behavioral Health Unit that provides mental health services to inmates. The unit offers individual and group therapy, medication management, and crisis intervention services to inmates who are struggling with mental health issues.
Disciplinary Segregation Unit
Inmates who violate prison rules may be placed in the Disciplinary Segregation Unit. This is a highly restrictive unit where inmates are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day. Inmates in this unit have limited access to recreational activities and other privileges.
Intermediate Care Housing
Inmates who have medical or mental health issues may be placed in Intermediate Care Housing. This is a specialized unit that provides medical and mental health care to inmates who require more intensive treatment than is available in the general population.
Family
Inmates at Oregon State Penitentiary are allowed to have contact with their families through phone calls, mail, and visitation. The prison also offers family-oriented events, such as picnics and holiday parties, to help inmates maintain connections with their families.
Events
The prison administration at Oregon State Penitentiary organizes events for inmates throughout the year. These events may include holiday parties, talent shows, and other recreational activities.
Care Package
Inmates at Oregon State Penitentiary are not allowed to receive care packages from home. However, they can order items from the prison commissary, such as snacks, personal hygiene items, and clothing.
Inmate Name
Inmates at Oregon State Penitentiary are referred to by their last name or by their inmate number. They are not allowed to use their first name or any nicknames while incarcerated.
Notable Cases
Christian Longo
Christian Longo was sentenced to death in 2003 for the murder of his wife and three children. He was housed at the Oregon State Penitentiary until his execution in 2015. Longo’s case received national attention due to the heinous nature of the crime and his attempts to evade law enforcement by using various aliases while on the run.
David Merrill
David Merrill was executed at the Oregon State Penitentiary in 1993 for the murder of a police officer. His execution was the first in Oregon in 34 years and was carried out via lethal injection. Merrill’s case was controversial due to the fact that he suffered from mental illness and his lawyers argued that he was not competent to stand trial.
Class-Action Lawsuit
In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Oregon Department of Corrections on behalf of inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary. The lawsuit alleged that the prison was not providing adequate healthcare to inmates, leading to unnecessary suffering and death. The lawsuit also claimed that the prison was overcrowded, leading to dangerous conditions for both inmates and staff.
The lawsuit is ongoing and has brought attention to the issues facing the prison system in Oregon. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues, with outbreaks occurring in several prisons throughout the state.
Overall, the Oregon State Penitentiary has been the site of several high-profile cases and controversies over the years. The prison is a maximum-security facility and houses male offenders in Marion County. The prison system is subject to strict regulations and policies, and holidays are often observed within the prison with special meals and activities. The prison also offers re-entry programs to help inmates transition back into society upon their release.