From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

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For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: October 1, 2007

Lincoln County Jail Inspected

On September 27 and 28, an Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) jail inspection team visited the Lincoln County Jail. The team’s purpose was to conduct the bi-yearly jail inspection of the jail to determine the level of compliance with 402 jail standards established by the OSSA.

Approximately seven years ago, Oregon Sheriffs decided that the 14 standards adopted by the Oregon Department of Corrections were inadequate to properly evaluate Oregon jails. A team of veteran jail commanders was selected to develop a set of standards that would raise the quality of jail operations statewide. The current standards were adopted six years ago and are currently undergoing review to keep standards current and eliminate redundant language.

The team consisted of jail commanders and jail supervisors from Crook, Lane, Clackamas, and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Offices. The inspection team interviewed deputies and inmates in addition to reviewing documentation of compliance with jail standards.

The Lincoln County Jail was rated as being 98.2% in compliance with Oregon jail standards. Two years ago the jail received a 96.8% compliance rating. According to Sheriff Dotson, comments from inspection team members included:

The jail environment is very clean.

Interviewed inmates stated they felt safe.

Based on interviews with corrections deputies, they are very professional and happy.

We were surprised to learn the high level of inmate programs provided for a medium sized jail. In fact, this jail provides more programs for inmates than some of the larger jails in Oregon.

The Sheriff should be extremely proud of the staff, operations, and maintenance of the facility.

"We are extremely proud of our corrections deputies and their commitment to managing the inmate population of this county in such an effective and professional manner," stated Sheriff Dotson.

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