Director's Letter

Thank you for your interest in Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE). As you'll see throughout this site, OCE is actively carrying out its mission to promote public safety by providing inmates with meaningful work experience in a self-sustaining organization.

OCE creates an environment where inmates learn job skills which can translate into gainful employment upon release. The components of this environment are multi-faceted:

• When the citizens of Oregon voted to approve Measure 17 in 1994, it put a structure around something the Department of Corrections has always done—provide jobs for inmates. OCE staff work with inmates to instill a work ethic of responsibility and dependability, a sense of self-worth, and the tools they need to succeed.
• Increased public safety is realized when inmates are engaged in meaningful, productive activities while incarcerated. OCE inmates work over 1,600,000 hours a year, which reduces inmate misconduct. When an inmate leaves our custody with marketable job skills, his or her chance of re-offending decreases. When crimes are reduced and the number of victims decreases, the mission is successful.
• OCE is not funded by tax dollars. It provides jobs for Oregon citizens, who in turn, support Oregon’s economy. By purchasing raw materials and equipment, OCE also supports private sector jobs in many Oregon companies.

As the director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, I'm proud of the partnership between the Department of Corrections and OCE. We work together daily to make a positive impact on the lives of inmates. That translates to a positive impact on inmate families and the increased safety of our communities. By purchasing OCE products and services, you join with us in making a difference in the lives of Oregonians.

Sincerely

Max Williams, Director