In response to concerns over the well-being of jail inmates following a series of inmate deaths last year, Multnomah County officials are proposing to allocate $200,000 in contingency funds towards initiatives aimed at improving relations between the sheriff’s office and the county’s health department. The goal is to immediately begin efforts to de-silo the two organizations responsible for inmate welfare and build a better working relationship.
The decision to allocate funds for this purpose follows a report by a National Institute of Corrections consultant that highlighted “serious health care and operations issues in the Multnomah jail system.” The report specifically criticized the county health department for failing to share important information with corrections officers.
One recommendation that emerged from the report was the hiring of a “CEO” of jail health services independent of the health department. While this suggestion could still be considered, Multnomah County officials are also launching a corrections recommendation project to assess the findings of various reports and take action on the recommendations, which may include exploring a third-party position.
The County Board of Commissioners will consider this proposal on May 2. According to spokeswoman Sarah Dean, the goal is to work together with all stakeholders involved, including corrections officers and community members, to ensure that inmates receive the best possible care while they are incarcerated.