OAR 291-048-0200: Authority, Purpose and Policy

(1) Authority: The authority for these rules is granted to the Director of the Department of Corrections in accordance with ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030, and 423.075. (2) Purpose: The purpose of these rules is to establish department policy and procedures for the assignment of adults in custody to mental health special housing who, because of a mental illness or intellectual disability , are unable to manage safely in general population settings . (3) Policy: The department recognizes there are adults in custody with significant mental health issues. It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to: (a) Provide an environment focused on mental health treatment for adults in custody who, due to mental illness or intellectual disability, exhibit behaviors that pose a danger to themselves or others , or are unable to provide for their basic needs; and (b) Implement practices within this environment to safely manage the high - risk adult in custody population , promoting conditions that support effective mental health treatment and behavioral therapy .