Following a lengthy executive session late Wednesday afternoon, Wasco County Commissioners directed staff to send a letter to the board of NORCOR regional jail notifying NORCOR of immediate actions. The text is below and you can see it on the Wasco County letterhead by clicking on the link below that.
12/06/17
NORCOR Board of Directors,
Wasco County met today during its Commission meeting to discuss the recent report from Disability Rights of Oregon (DRO) concerning the treatment of juveniles under the supervision and care of the NORCOR juvenile detention facility. As a partner agency in NORCOR, the Wasco County Commission has serious concerns relating to the findings contained in the DRO report. Accordingly, the Wasco County Commission hereby:
1. Urges the NORCOR Board of Directors to immediately convene an emergency meeting to discuss the recent findings and recommendations contained in the Disability Rights of Oregon report.
2. Demands that an independent investigation be launched to investigate and address the findings and recommendations contained in the Disability Rights of Oregon report.
3. Advises the NORCOR Board of Directors that Wasco County will immediately redirect any youth in NORCOR custody to a different facility pending resolution of the Disability Rights of Oregon findings and recommendations.
4. Immediately transfer the operational control and administration of the NORCOR Juvenile Detention Facility to the Juvenile Directors Oversight Committee pursuant to ORS 419A.010(3).
It is our hope that the findings contained in the DRO report can be immediately addressed and resolved. As a partner agency in NORCOR we will do everything in our purview to help ensure the success of this facility. We hope the actions by Wasco County outlined above will work to resolve the issues at hand and serve as the catalyst to start a meaningful discussion concerning NORCOR. Wasco County remains ready to assist in resolving the issues.
Sincerely,
Rod Runyon, Chair Scott Hege Steve Kramer