Disability Rights in Oregon Prisons
Revision date: February 2018
Download the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Clinic print PDF
Purpose of this Publication
The purpose of this brochure is to provide general information about the rights of people with disabilities who are incarcerated in Oregon Department of Corrections (“ODOC”) facilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Introduction
The purpose of this brochure is to provide general information about the rights of people with disabilities who are incarcerated in Oregon Department of Corrections (“ODOC”) facilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
This is general information that we hope is helpful. This information is provided as a public service and is not legal advice.
Protecting Your Rights
There are certain requirements, time limits, or deadlines to take legal action, including filing complaints and lawsuits. If you fail to act under these requirements or time frames, you may lose your right to pursue these “remedies.”
Generally, to protect your rights (including the right to file a lawsuit), you should exhaust every remedy available. You can take the following steps:
File “kites” (inmate communication forms)
File a prison grievance
Appeal your grievance if it is denied
Contact the superintendent of your facility
Keep copies of all written documents related to issues that concern you, including your kites and grievances
Request (in writing) that ODOC preserve all records and evidence related to your concerns
Preserving Your Ability to File a Lawsuit
There are two options for filing a lawsuit: federal claims and state tort claims. ODOC does not allow an inmate to pursue both remedies at the same time.
The decision about whether to pursue a state or federal claim is complex. You may need to get advice from an attorney about your specific case. An attorney can give you specific time frames and requirements for filing these claims. The Oregon State Bar can give you names of attorneys who work on prisoner issues.
Example: Before filing a federal claim against ODOC, an inmate must generally do the following: File a grievance within the prison, and “exhaust” every possible appeal opportunity that the institution allows.
Example: Before filing a state claim against ODOC, an inmate must generally file a state tort claims notice within 180 days of the incident.
Making an ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request
Definition of ADA Request
The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) prohibits ODOC from discriminating on the basis of an inmate’s disability. ODOC cannot exclude you from programs, services, or benefits that you would otherwise be eligible for, due to your disability.
Example: A prison cannot deny an inmate in a wheelchair access to recreational spaces because all of the recreational spaces are only accessible by stairs.
To avoid such discrimination, the ADA requires that institutions provide “reasonable accommodations” to inmates.
“Accommodations” mean that inmates with disabilities can participate equally in a program, service, or benefit. “Reasonable” means that it does not create an undue financial or administrative burden, or fundamentally alter the nature of the program or service.
Example: To access the recreational space, prison staff could take the inmate through an alternate entrance that has been secured.
Submit an ADA Request
You may submit an ADA request for a reasonable accommodation to the prison if you need an accommodation for your disability to participate in a program, service, or benefit of the ODOC.
The requested accommodation must be both reasonable and related to your disability.
That request should trigger a conversation with ODOC in order to reach a solution. You may also wish to submit a request with the ODOC ADA Coordinator.
If ODOC denies you a reasonable accommodation or you are provided with an unresponsive or ineffective accommodation, you may pursue your legal rights under the ADA in federal court.
Examples of ADA Requests
“I have a hearing impairment and pursuant to the requirements of the ADA, I request the following reasonable accommodation: Access to a certified ASL interpreter at generally available ODOC program activities and medical appointments, mental health appointments, and counselor appointments.”
“I have a mobility impairment that makes it difficult for me to get around. As a reasonable accommodation of my disability, I request an accessible cell and a bottom bunk.”
“I have a psychiatric disability that gets worse when I am isolated and locked down. As a reasonable accommodation for my disability, I am requesting a prompt transfer out of segregation.”
ADA Contact Information
If you want to request an ADA accommodation, contact the ODOC ADA coordinator:
Marica Ventura ADA Coordinator for Department of Corrections
2575 Center St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-945-9278
If you are dissatisfied with the response to your request, you can also contact the ADA Hotline with the U.S. Department of Justice to request a complaint form:
U.S. Department of Justice -Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Disability Rights Section-NYAZ
Washington, D.C. 20530
Phone: 800-514-0301
Your Right to Medical Care
Your institution has a legal obligation to provide you with reasonable medical treatment for any serious medical condition.
If you need medical care, you can do the following:
Kite for medical attention and/or to see a mental health counselor or prescriber
Keep a log of symptoms that you are experiencing
Request that medical staff consult with your outside doctor and sign a release to allow them to do so
Ask a family member to bring your medications and proof of prescriptions to the facility
Keep in mind that some classes of medications can be harder to obtain while incarcerated (such as benzodiazepines and narcotics)
You generally have a right to receive properly prescribed medications that you need to maintain your health.
You do not have a right to particular medication, even if it has been effective in the past.
If you feel that the currently prescribed medication is ineffective or causes serious avoidable side effects, follow the above steps.
Your Rights in Segregated Housing
There are different types of segregated housing. Many are forms of solitary confinement. ODOC may put a prisoner in segregated housing for disciplinary or administrative reasons. These reasons could include: punishment for breaking prison rules, or when ODOC believes that a prisoner is at risk in general population.
You still have rights when you are in segregated housing:
You still have an ADA right to reasonable accommodation.
Prisoners who are diagnosed with serious mental illness may not be placed in Disciplinary Segregation for more than 30 days.
There is a growing legal and social consensus that prolonged solitary confinement is a human rights violation. The Vera Institute is working with ODOC to reduce the use of solitary confinement.
If you are in solitary confinement for a prolonged period of time and have suffered psychological or physical harm as a result, you may wish to talk to an attorney about whether you should file a lawsuit.
Mental Health and Segregation
Too many people with mental health needs are in disciplinary segregation.
After completing a disciplinary segregation sanction, prisoners may be placed in mental health housing. Possible placements might include the following:
Mental health units
Day treatment units
The Intermediate Care Housing (ICH) unit
The Behavioral Health Unit (BHU)
The Mental Health Infirmary (MHI)
Any individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis while serving a disciplinary segregation sanction should notify a staff member and kite to request a transfer out of the segregation unit and into one of the mental health units.
Who to Contact with Concerns
If you are concerned with your treatment while in prison, contact the Inspector General Hotline. You can report abuse, fraud, and staff or inmate misconduct:
Phone for inmates: Direct dial from inmate phone system
Phone for public and staff: 877-831-0389
If you have concerns about the ODOC’s behavioral health (mental health and addiction) treatment services, contact behavioral services for ODOC:
Dawnell Meyer
Behavioral Health Services Administrator Oregon Department of Corrections
2757 22nd Street SE Salem, OR 97302
Phone: 503-930-2244
If you want to hire a private attorney, contact the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral services:
Oregon State Bar
Lawyer Referral Service
P.O. Box 1689 Lake Oswego, OR 97035-0889
Phone: 503-684-3763 or 800-425-7636
For more information, contact us at:
Disability Rights Oregon
511 SW 10th Ave., Suite 200
Portland, OR 97205
welcome@droregon.org
www.droregon.org
Phone: 503-243-2081 or 800-452-1694
Criminal Justice Reform Clinic
Lewis & Clark Law School
10015 SW Terwilliger Blvd.
Portland, OR 97219
Your Right to Vote after Incarceration
While you are incarcerated as a result of a felony conviction, you do not have the right to vote in Oregon.
However, when you are released from prison, your right to vote is restored. You can vote, even if you are on parole or post-prison supervision.
Voting is an important opportunity to have a say on the laws and elected officials who make decisions about public services, housing, education, the criminal justice system, mental health services, health care, and more. Your voice is important.
You must register to vote, or update your previous voter registration.
How to Register to Vote
You can register for the first time with a paper registration form, at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or at any state office that services people with disabilities (Self Sufficiency, Aging and Disability Services).
You can update your voter registration with the paper registration form, online with your name and birthdate at oregonvotes.gov, or any of the other places listed above.
If you need accommodations to register because of your disability, call 866-ORE-VOTE (866673-8683).
If you are denied accommodations to register, call Disability Rights Oregon at 800-452-1694.
Written 2018
by Lewis & Clark Law School
Copyright © 2018 Disability Rights Oregon
511 SW 10th Ave, Suite 200, Portland OR 97205
Voice: 503-243-2081 or 1-800-452-1694
Fax: 503-243-1738
E-mail: welcome@droregon.org
Website: www.droregon.org
Disability Rights Oregon is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible and will be used to promote the rights of Oregonians with disabilities.
Portions of this document may be reproduced without permission, provided that Disability Rights Oregon is appropriately credited.
NOTICE: This document is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. Federal and state law can change at any time. You may wish to contact Disability Rights Oregon or consult with an attorney in your community if you require further information.
Thanks to students at CJRC for their invaluable contributions.
Criminal Justice Reform Clinic
Lewis & Clark Law School
10015 SW Terwilliger Blvd.
Portland, OR 97219
