A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
WHEREAS, we believe in the fundamental principles of justice, equality, and the dignity of all individuals; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the deep-rooted influence of white supremacy within our society and carceral system; and
WHEREAS, the right to live dignified lives free from abuse, oppression, violence, and neglect is a universal human right and specifically enumerated in the platform of the Democratic Party of Oregon; and
WHEREAS, we advocate for proactive measures to prevent suffering and provide resources and relief to historically oppressed groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color who are over-represented within our carceral system; and
WHEREAS, we firmly support healthcare access and disability accommodations, including for incarcerated individuals; and
WHEREAS, we support restorative justice and rehabilitation practices within our justice system; and
WHEREAS, we demand accountability and due process in all situations but especially where public agencies are responsible for incarcerated individuals; and
WHEREAS, the behavior that leads to prison for women, femmes, and those assigned female at birth is different from that of men and is inextricably linked to poverty, violence, and trauma;
WHEREAS, the Gender Informed Practices Assessment (GIPA) has revealed chronic unmet needs and inadequate conditions at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), impacting the well-being of incarcerated women and staff;
WHEREAS, the GIPA underscores the urgent need to stabilize staffing, address facility concerns, and ensure that the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals, particularly women, are upheld; and
WHEREAS, several staff members at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility have been charged and convicted of misconduct, including sexual assault, against those incarcerated at CCCF;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. We call upon the Oregon Department of Corrections to take immediate actions to address the chronic unmet needs, inadequate conditions, neglect, and abuse of the incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, especially as outlined in the Gender Informed Practices Assessment.
Section 2. We demand that the Legislature and district attorneys implement restorative justice and rehabilitation practices within our justice system with transparency and accountability to guarantee the human rights of incarcerated and detained individuals, and that the State of Oregon invest in resources and policies that prioritize justice, equality, and dignity for all by addressing the poverty, trauma, and violence, which are the largest contributing factors to incarceration for women, femmes and those assigned female at birth.
Section 3. We further demand that the Governor review the sentences of those incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility who have been convicted on drug-only and/or non-violent crimes and to use her commutation power to expedite release from incarceration for as many women as possible, and to provide trauma-informed transitional support for them, their children, and families, as they return to their communities.
Section 4. Most importantly, we demand that the State make those incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility whole by offering reparations, with primary consideration given to the needs of incarcerated and their families as spoken by their own voices, including: monetary compensation; removal of cages, shackles and chains from cells; providing individual and group therapy; providing standard medical, dental, vision, psychiatric and other care; providing adequate menstrual and hygiene products, including undergarments; eliminating barriers between the incarcerated and their loved ones, including providing phone and video calls free of charge; and implementing the full list of recommendations included in the Gender Informed Practices Assessment without delay. Incarcerated individuals must be able to determine what should be done with monetary compensation, with options including but not limited to high yield savings accounts, distribution to third parties on their behalf, or used as payment for child support obligations. The State bears responsibility for the well-being of incarcerated people and it is up to the State to make whole those incarcerated at Coffee Creek.
