March  19,  2020     SENT  VIA  EMAIL     Governor  Kate  Brown   900  Court  Street,  Suite  254   Salem,  OR  97301   RE:                                                                               Preparation  and  Precautions  for  COVID-­‐19  in  Oregon’s  Criminal  Justice  System   Thank  you  for  taking  necessary  steps  to  protect  the  public  from  the  COVID-­‐19  pandemic.  We,  a   broad  coalition  of  community-­‐based  organizations,  legal  services  providers  and  concerned   stakeholders  with  expertise  in  the  criminal  justice  system,  urge  you  to  take  similar  steps  to   protect  people  working  in  and  in  the  custody  of  state  correctional  facilities,  juvenile  facilities   and  local  jails.  COVID-­‐19  outbreaks  in  Oregon  prisons  and  jails  have  the  potential  to  spread  like   wildfire  and  the  effects  could  be  especially  devastating  –  even  turning  a  prison  sentence  into  a   death  sentence  for  some.   While  every  aspect  of  the  criminal  legal  system  must  be  considered  –  from  policing,  prosecution   and  pretrial  hearings,  sentencing,  and  confinement,  to  release  from  custody  –  the  most   effective  approach  to  protect  Oregonians  in  this  large  system  is  to  prioritize  your  focus  in  two   areas:  1)  preventing  entry  and  diverting  individuals  from  custody  in  correctional  facilities  and   jails;  and  2)  releasing  as  many  currently  incarcerated  people  as  possible  back  into  the   community  with  proper  supports  to  remain  healthy,  especially  members  of  vulnerable  groups.   These  releases  should  be  done  with  consideration  for  public  safety  and  coordinated  with  local   and  state  public  health  agencies,  community  corrections,  reentry  and  social  service  providers,   and  housing  programs  to  ensure  that  individuals  leaving  custody  are  well  supported  to  remain   healthy.     Approximately  14,000  Oregonians  are  currently  incarcerated  in  our  state  prisons,  and   thousands  more  are  held  in  and  churning  through  our  jails.  The  environments  in  these  facilities   are  highly  conducive  to  a  widespread  outbreak  of  COVID-­‐19.  People  in  custody  live  in  close   1                     proximity  to  each  other  with  no  options  to  stay  away  from  others  who  are  sick.  Many  are   housed  in  large  dormitories  with  shared  bathrooms,  living  quarters  and  communal  areas.   People  in  prisons  and  jails  are  often  denied  or  do  not  have  easy  access  to  adequate  soap  and   cleaning  supplies,  making  infection  control  nearly  impossible.  This  environment  is  high  risk  for   prison  and  jail  staff  as  well  as  those  who  are  incarcerated.   The  age  and  high-­‐risk  health  status  of  incarcerated  people  increases  the  likelihood  that  COVID-­‐ 19  in  these  facilities  will  be  severe  and  particularly  deadly.  A  2012  study  by  the  ACLU  found  that   Oregon  had  the  ninth  largest  population  of  elderly  prisoners  in  the  United  States,  despite  being   only  the  27th  largest  state  by  population.  This  is  the  very  demographic  that  doctors  say  is   particularly  at  risk  from  COVID-­‐19,  along  with  people  with  certain  pre-­‐existing  health   conditions.  Research  shows  people  in  prison  and  jails  are  generally  sicker  than  people  outside,   with  higher  rates  of  conditions  such  as  asthma,  diabetes,  and  heart  problems.  The  Oregon   Department  of  Corrections  has  identified  at  least  1,400  adults  in  their  custody  who  are  over  60   years  old,  are  immunocompromised,  or  have  comorbid  medical  conditions.  We  can  assume  that   the  jail  populations,  which  have  a  much  higher  churn  rate  than  prisons,  have  similarly  high  rates   of  people  in  their  custody  at  any  given  time  who  are  at  highest  risk  if  exposed  to  diseases  like   COVID-­‐19.   The  custodial  environments,  the  characteristics  of  those  incarcerated,  and  the  highly  infectious   and  lethal  nature  of  COVID-­‐19  are  a  formula  for  a  quick  and  drastic  strain  on  the  state’s  medical   system  and  grave  impacts  on  Oregon  communities  –  affecting  the  health  and  lives  of  many   incarcerated  people,  officers  and  staff,  and  their  loved  ones.   All  of  us,  and  especially  those  in  positions  of  leadership  in  the  legal  and  prison  systems,  have  a   duty  to  address  this  issue  directly  and  expeditiously  to  protect  our  communities  and  prevent   harm.   We  are  calling  on  you,  Governor  Brown,  to  take  swift  action  to  protect  those  working  and  living   in  our  correctional  facilities  and  jails  and  to  slow  the  spread  of  COVID-­‐19.  In  our  call-­‐to-­‐action,   we  request  the  creation  of  a  COVID-­‐19  Public  Safety  Task  Force  and  to  issue  an  executive  order   focused  on  COVID-­‐19  and  Oregon’s  criminal  justice  system.   COVID-­‐19  PUBLIC  SAFETY  TASK  FORCE       We  request  that  you  create  an  executive  task  force  composed  of  the  undersigned  coalition   members,  senior  staff  from  your  office,  and  other  experts,  including  directly  impacted  people   (i.e.,  someone  who  is  formerly  incarcerated)  or  stakeholders,  as  is  necessary.  This  task  force  will   meet  weekly  (telephonically  or  by  video)  with  two  priorities:     1)  Work  with  agencies,  public  officials,  and  community  members  to  implement   recommendations  articulated  by  this  coalition  (see  letters  to  OSSA,  Chief  Justice  Walters,   ODOC,  and  ODAA).  The  task  force  will  be  briefed  regularly  by  the  agency  leaders  and  public   officials  in  the  criminal  justice  system  about  their  policies,  practices,  and  plans  from  arrest   through  reentry  regarding  COVID-­‐19;  monitor  the  effectiveness  of  these  protocols;  and  advise   you  as  needed  to  encourage  coordinated  and  effective  efforts  to  protect  the  health  of  Oregon   communities.   2                     2)  Compel  and  oversee  expedited  processes  for  the  safe  release  of  people  incarcerated  in   state  prisons  and  jails.  Oregon’s  Constitution  and  statutes  include  mechanisms  that  allow  the   governor,  the  Department  of  Corrections,  and  the  Board  of  Parole  to  release  individuals  into   the  community  under  supervision  who  no  longer  pose  a  public  safety  risk.       Examples,  in  brief,  of  mechanisms  that  can  be  acted  on  immediately  include:     ●   Commutation.    The  governor’s  clemency  powers  flow  from  Article  V,  Section  14  of  the   Oregon  Constitution  and  grant  plenary  power  to  reduce  the  legislatively  created  and   judicially  imposed  consequences  of  criminal  convictions.  The  Oregon  Constitution   explicitly  identifies  three  types  of  clemency  actions  the  governor  may  take:  pardons,   reprieves,  and  commutations.  A  commutation  replaces  the  original  sentence  with  a   lesser  one.  For  example,  the  governor  can  commute  the  sentences  of  those  incarcerated   to  supervision  in  the  community.    Acts  of  clemency  are  not  tied  to  findings  of  factual  or   legal  innocence,  nor  do  they  imply  innocence.  Rather,  they  are  discretionary  acts  a   governor  can  take  or  not  take  at  their  sole  discretion.     ●   Expedite  review  of  current  commutation  applications.  Your  office  can  immediately   address  the  commutation  applications  that  are  currently  before  you  and  grant  the  many   worthy  applications  promptly.     ●   Compassionate  Release.  With  the  coordination  of  your  office,  the  Department  of   Corrections,  and  the  Board  of  Parole,  can  grant  early  release  under  ORS  144.126   (Advancing  release  date  of  prisoner  with  severe  medical  condition  including  terminal   illness  or  who  is  elderly  and  permanently  incapacitated)  and  ORS  144.122  (Advancing   initial  release  date)  of  those  incarcerated  in  prison  who  are  especially  susceptible  to   devastating  consequences  of  being  infected  with  COVID-­‐19  because  of  their  age  and   fragile  medical  conditions.   ●   Board  of  Parole  advancing  release  dates.  The  Board  of  Parole  can  advance  the  release   dates  of  those  who  have  an  exit  interview  or  prison  term  hearing  in  2020  and  2021  and   use  expeditious  processes  available,  such  as  the  file-­‐pass  procedure.       More  on  Commutation  Considerations:     There  should  be  a  particular  focus  on  the  1,400  prisoners  whom  ODOC  has  identified  as  being   over  60  years  old,  immunocompromised,  or  having  comorbid  medical  conditions.  This   population  is  vulnerable  to  becoming  seriously  ill,  having  serious  complications,  and  requiring   more  medical  care  with  COVID-­‐19.  Releasing  this  vulnerable  group  from  prison  and  similar   groups  of  individuals  from  jail  will  reduce  the  need  to  provide  complex  medical  care  or  transfers   to  hospitals  when  the  medical  system  is  already  strained  and  possibly  prevent  deaths.     There  should  also  be  a  focus  on  people  in  jail  and  prisons  who  have  release  dates  in  2020  and   2021  and  assessing  whether  they  can  be  released  immediately.    Their  release  will  limit   overcrowding  and  free  up  beds  in  facilities  that  will  be  needed  to  care  for  the  sick.       3                     Lastly,  there  should  be  an  expedited  screening  and  review  process  for  those  who  would   otherwise  be  good  candidates  for  commutation.  These  individuals  are  those  who  have   demonstrated  rehabilitation  and  can  be  safely  released  back  into  the  community.     ISSUE  AN  EXECUTIVE  ORDER       We  request  that  you  issue  an  executive  order  that  includes  the  following:     ●   Guidance  to  local  and  county  officials  directing  them  to  significantly  reduce  their  jail   populations,  both  by  limiting  the  number  of  people  coming  into  them,  as  well  as   releasing  as  many  people  as  possible  back  into  the  community.  Decreasing  the  overall   jail  population  will  provide  the  flexibility  that  will  be  needed  in  these  facilities  to  address   the  coming  health  crisis  within  their  walls.  There  are  numerous  mechanisms  under   Oregon  law  for  county  officials  (Sheriffs,  Circuit  Court  Judges,  and  District  Attorneys)  to   release  individuals  in  local  jails.     ●   A  commitment  to  support  and  provide  resources  to  county  reentry  and  social  services   providers,  treatment  and  housing  programs,  and  community  health  clinics  to  ensure   that  individuals  leaving  custody  receive  an  appropriate  continuum  of  care  and  support.   Funding  should  be  disseminated  in  an  equitable  manner  and  should  require  recipients   to  provide  services  without  discrimination  based  on  race,  color,  religion,  sex,  gender   identity,  sexual  orientation,  or  national  origin.   ●   Urge  a  hold  to  all  new  state  prison  sentences  if  delaying  the  sentence  would  not  pose  an   unreasonable  risk  of  safety  to  a  specific  person  or  persons.     ●   Guidance  to  release  all  people  held  on  probation  and  parole  technical  violations.  And,   put  a  halt  on  future  custodial  sanctions  by  Parole  and  Probation.   ●   A  commitment  to  make  transparent  and  accessible  all  agencies’  policies  for  handling   COVID-­‐19  within  each  facility.  Insist  that  ODOC  adequately  and  openly  address  how  they   will  care  for  people  who  are  incarcerated  and  ensure  that  this  information  is  provided  to   an  incarcerated  person  in  that  person’s  primary  language.     ●   A  commitment  to  lift  or  subsidize  the  cost  of  all  fees  for  calls  from  institutions  to  family   members.  As  ODOC  has  temporarily  halted  visits  to  people  who  are  incarcerated,  it  is   critical  that  these  individuals  be  able  to  communicate  with  their  family  members  and   loved  ones.  All  phone  calls  made  by  those  who  are  incarcerated  to  their  family  members   and  loved  ones  should  be  made  free  during  such  time  as  family  visits  are  limited.   Additionally,  a  commitment  to  lift  restrictions  for  all  legal  calls  so  that  individuals  in   custody  can  access  legal  services.   ●   Guidance  to  the  ODOC,  Oregon  Youth  Authority,  and  jails  to  refrain  from  cooperating   with  ICE  so  individuals  are  not  released  into  ICE  custody,  are  not  held  on  behalf  of  ICE   nor  anyone’s  release  is  delayed  as  a  result  of  an  ICE  request.     Governor,  we  know  how  seriously  you  take  your  duty  to  protect  the  lives  of  people  living  and   working  in  Oregon’s  prisons  and  the  surrounding  communities.  As  you  know,  the  health,  well-­‐ being  and  indeed  the  lives  of  these  people  are  in  your  hands.  We  urge  you  to  take  immediate   and  decisive  action  now  to  save  lives.  We  will  support  you  in  taking  bold,  but  necessary,  action   4                     now  to  protect  the  health  of  every  Oregonian,  especially  our  most  vulnerable  community   members.       Sincerely,   Kelly  Simon   Interim  Legal  Director   ACLU  of  Oregon   503-­‐564-­‐8511   ksimon@aclu-­‐or.org     Tom  Stenson   Deputy  Legal  Director   Disability  Rights  Oregon   tstenson@droregon.org     Shaun  McCrea   Executive  Director   Oregon  Criminal  Defense  Lawyers  Association   541-­‐6868-­‐8716   smccrea@ocdla.org     Bobbin  Singh   Executive  Director   Oregon  Justice  Resource  Center   503-­‐944-­‐2270  ext.  205   bsingh@ojrc.info     Andy  Ko   Executive  Director   Partnership  for  Safety  &  Justice   503-­‐335-­‐8449   andy@safetyandjustice.org     Paul  Solomon     Executive  Director   Sponsors,  Inc.   541-­‐485-­‐8341   pjsolomon@sponsorsinc.org     cc   Nik  Blosser,  Chief  of  Staff,  Office  of  the  Governor   Tina  Kotek,  Speaker  of  the  House   Peter  Courtney,  President  of  the  Senate   5                     Attorney  General  Ellen  Rosenblum,  Department  of  Justice   Constantin  Severe,  Public  Safety  and  Military  Policy  Advisor,  Office  of  the  Governor   Dustin  Buehler,  General  Counsel,  Office  of  the  Governor   Michael  Hsu,  Chair,  Oregon  Board  of  Parole     Paige  Clarkson,  President,  Oregon  District  Attorneys  Association   Lane  Borg,  Executive  Director,  Office  of  Public  Defense  Services   Justice  Walters,  Chief  Justice,  Oregon  Supreme  Court       Nancy  Cozine,  State  Court  Administrator   Colette  Peters,  Director,  Oregon  Department  of  Corrections   Joe  O’Leary,  Director,  Oregon  Youth  Authority Pat  Allen,  Director,  Oregon  Health  Authority   Dawn  Jagger,  Health  Policy  Advisory,  Office  of  the  Governor   Aaron  Knott,  Legislative  Director,  Department  of  Justice   Sheriff  Terry  Rowan,  President,  Oregon  State  Sheriffs’  Association   Sheriff  Jason  Meyers  (Ret.),  Executive  Director,  Oregon  State  Sheriffs’  Association     6