OAR 291-104-0106: 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: (a) Establish Department of Corrections policy and procedures for identifying and assigning an appropriate custody level to each adult in custody committed to serve a term of incarceration in or transferred to the Department of Corrections and housed in a Department of Corrections - operated or Department of Corrections- contracted facility or those adult-sentenced youths in the custody of Oregon Youth Authority; (b) Provide information for population management and planning; and (c) Provide information to support the appropriate distribution of correctional resources for both adult in custody and agency needs. (3) Policy: (a) Custody Level: It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to assign each adult in custody committed to serve a term of incarceration in or transferred to the custody of the department the lowest custody level deemed appropriate and to: (A) Provide the amount of supervision necessary to account for the adult in custody’s whereabouts; (B) Provide for the safe, secure, and orderly operation of Department of Corrections facilities; (C) Provide reasonable protection to the general community, employees , and adult in custody population; (D) Allow each adult in custody to exercise independent responsibility equal to their demonstrated ability and behavior; and (E) Ensure the delivery of appropriate adult in custody health care, mental health treatment, education, and work programs. (b) Housing Assignments: It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to assign an adult in custody to housing consistent with their custody level, demonstrated behavior, and special needs.