Ontario, Ore. – Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) has designated a 72-bed housing unit to adults in custody who are military veterans. The facility held a dedication event for the unit on February 17.
The idea for a veterans housing unit was conceived from involvement SRCI staff had with the Snake River Veterans Association (SRVA) within the institution. Realizing a housing unit could be beneficial to veterans housed at SRCI, a team of prison staff went to Washington State to see a similar unit in one of its correcitonal facilities. Months later, the first ever Oregon unit is ready to be dedicated.
There are criteria individuals must meet to be housed in the SRCI veterans unit, such as being honorably discharged from a branch of the U.S. Military, as well as meeting the behavior standards to live in the priviledged housing complex of the institution. Although the needs of the institution operations are always the priority to ensure the facility is running in a safe and secure manner, there are specific goals that were established for the Veterans Unit:
*Enhance overall behavior and personal well-being for veterans in custody by giving them an opportunity to pro-socially associate with like-minded, like-experienced individuals.
*Make support resources and programs available to assist the special needs of veterans.
*Assist incarcerated veterans in accessing federal resources and benefits, specifically in the areas of transition, release, health, and well-being.
SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses approximately 3,000 male inmates. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit. SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. The facility also provides education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs. SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.
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