OAR 291-077-0040: Special Meritorious Awards

Inmates are eligible to be considered at the discretion of the department for special meritorious awards, as follows: (1) Exceptional Acts or Behaviors: The functional unit manager may grant an inmate a special meritorious award for exceptionally positive acts or behaviors of significant benefit to the agency, staff, inmates, or the public, as follows: (a) Acts of outstanding heroism; (b) Satisfactory performance of an unusually difficult or hazardous assignment that requires personal responsibility related to public safety; (c) Suggestions which result in substantial improvement of programs or definite economies of operation; or (d) Other clearly exceptional or outstanding services which are consistent with the character of, but are not specified in, the above. (2) Monthly Team Goals: The functional unit manager may grant inmates involved in a program assignment that emphasizes teamwork a special meritorious award to recognize their achievement in meeting team goals: (a) The goals must be team-based, related to established job standards, and have measurable objectives that exceed the established job standards, as approved by the Assistant Director for Programs or designee. (b) Established job standards, may include, but are not limited to, avoidance of injuries, meeting safety standards, efficient use of resources, maintaining equipment in operational status, team communication and sharing responsibilities.