December 14, 2023
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today released the 2023 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury Report. Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 132.440 requires an annual grand jury inquiry into the condition and management of every adult and youth correctional facility in the county. These facilities are:
- Multnomah County Detention Center (operated by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office)
- Multnomah County Inverness Jail (operated by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office)
- Donald E. Long Juvenile Justice Center (operated by the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice Juvenile Division)
- Columbia River Correctional Institution (operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections)
The court selected seven jurors to serve as the Corrections Grand Jury (CGJ). They spent over 100 hours touring facilities, receiving sworn testimony, and compiling their report. This year the CGJ focused on a wide scope of issues including staffing, facility maintenance, compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, access to treatment and programming, meals, medical services, and safety.
“The Corrections Grand Jury is an important, independent practice that gives the community an understanding of the operations and conditions of our local correctional facilities,” said DA Schmidt. “The result is recommendations for improving the effectiveness of those facilities, while also reflecting the values and expectations of the community. I would like to thank the facility leadership and staff who assisted this year’s grand jury and to specifically recognize Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell for her commitment to transparency and to working with local, state, and federal partners to achieve health and safety goals.”
A full copy of the grand jury report, in compliance with ORS 132.440, can be obtained on the MCDA website. Sheriff Morissey O’Donnell’s response is also available.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks the grand jurors for their dedicated efforts and recognizes Deputy District Attorneys Jeffrey Lowe and Travis Sewell for assisting and advising the CGJ.
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