OAR 291-105-0005: Authority, Purpose and Policy

(1) Authority: The authority for this rule is granted to the Director of the Department of Corrections in accordance with ORS 179.040, 421.068, 421.180, 423.020, 423.030, and 423.075. (2) Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to define the rules of conduct governing adults in custody and outline the procedures to be followed in processing disciplinary action(s). (3) Policy: (a) It is the policy of the Department of Corrections to hold adults in custody accountable for misconduct while incarcerated, and to promote and reinforce pro-social behavior by adults in custody, through a system of disciplinary rules and procedures that embrace the Oregon Accountability Model and Correctional Case Management. (b) Adults in custody under Department of Corrections supervision shall be disciplined for violation of specified rules of prohibited conduct in accordance with the procedures set forth in these rules. The primary objectives of these rules are: (A) To provide for the safe, secure, orderly, and efficient management of Department of Corrections facilities, the safety and security of department employees, the public, adults in custody, and property of the Department of Corrections; (B) To establish norms of acceptable conduct and consistent and fair procedures for the processing of misconduct reports for adults in custody; (C) To allow a range of appropriate disciplinary sanctions for violation of the rules of prohibited conduct for adults in custody; and (D) To encourage positive behavioral change. (c) To promote these objectives, adults in custody found in violation of the rules of prohibited conduct are issued individualized sanctions based upon the totality of the circumstances (including input from stakeholders, and the adult in custody’s behavior, strengths, and needs, subject to modification upon order of the Hearings Officer and functional unit manager or designee. (d) The department intends that the authorization in OAR 291-105-0100 to withdraw an order and direct the disciplinary hearing to be reopened applies retroactively to disciplinary orders issued on, before, or after these rules.