DOC's Ambient Heat Response

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Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) makes every attempt to keep the adults in our custody (AICs) safe and comfortable during summer heat waves. Each location has a written ambient heat plan. This plan details what each location may do to accommodate hot weather, including:

  • Close outside activities if the weather reaches a certain temperature.
  • Provide ice water to staff and adults in custody (Gatorade or electrolyte packets if available).
  • Provide cooling towels.
  • Provide shade to individuals working outside.
  • Alternative work schedules to accommodate the heat of the day.
  • Provide extra breaks.
  • Shut down certain work and recreation areas when applicable.
  • Ensure doors are kept closed for better system management.
  • Ensure fans, swamp coolers, and/or air conditioning are be used where possible.
  • Communication to staff and AICs about temperatures and process.

DOC monitors air quality and extreme heat forecasts to ensure we are well prepared. DOC also educates staff and AICs about heat illness/stroke signs and the importance of reporting them immediately. DOC staff are also required to take ambient heat training upon being hired and annually thereafter. All our DOC institution locations are compliant with Oregon OSHA standards for ambient heat. DOC does not differentiate the Oregon OSHA standards between staff and AICs.

Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) makes every attempt to keep the adults in our custody (AICs) safe and comfortable during summer heat waves. Each location has a written ambient heat plan. This plan details what each location may do to accommodate hot weather, including:

  • Close outside activities if the weather reaches a certain temperature.
  • Provide ice water to staff and adults in custody (Gatorade or electrolyte packets if available).
  • Provide cooling towels.
  • Provide shade to individuals working outside.
  • Alternative work schedules to accommodate the heat of the day.
  • Provide extra breaks.
  • Shut down certain work and recreation areas when applicable.
  • Ensure doors are kept closed for better system management.
  • Ensure fans, swamp coolers, and/or air conditioning are be used where possible.
  • Communication to staff and AICs about temperatures and process.

DOC monitors air quality and extreme heat forecasts to ensure we are well prepared. DOC also educates staff and AICs about heat illness/stroke signs and the importance of reporting them immediately. DOC staff are also required to take ambient heat training upon being hired and annually thereafter. All our DOC institution locations are compliant with Oregon OSHA standards for ambient heat. DOC does not differentiate the Oregon OSHA standards between staff and AICs.

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  • Share Is there away to see these written ambient heat plans? What is on this list that is provided to the AICs with out cost? I also have a question would you like to sit inside a cell when it is 100+ degrees outside? It has been said that inside a cell is roughly 10-20 degrees hotter than outside. How is this right to keep the AICs inside the institution? Not all prisons have Swamp Coolers or A/C, so why make this statement. on Facebook Share Is there away to see these written ambient heat plans? What is on this list that is provided to the AICs with out cost? I also have a question would you like to sit inside a cell when it is 100+ degrees outside? It has been said that inside a cell is roughly 10-20 degrees hotter than outside. How is this right to keep the AICs inside the institution? Not all prisons have Swamp Coolers or A/C, so why make this statement. on Twitter Share Is there away to see these written ambient heat plans? What is on this list that is provided to the AICs with out cost? I also have a question would you like to sit inside a cell when it is 100+ degrees outside? It has been said that inside a cell is roughly 10-20 degrees hotter than outside. How is this right to keep the AICs inside the institution? Not all prisons have Swamp Coolers or A/C, so why make this statement. on Linkedin Email Is there away to see these written ambient heat plans? What is on this list that is provided to the AICs with out cost? I also have a question would you like to sit inside a cell when it is 100+ degrees outside? It has been said that inside a cell is roughly 10-20 degrees hotter than outside. How is this right to keep the AICs inside the institution? Not all prisons have Swamp Coolers or A/C, so why make this statement. link

    Is there away to see these written ambient heat plans? What is on this list that is provided to the AICs with out cost? I also have a question would you like to sit inside a cell when it is 100+ degrees outside? It has been said that inside a cell is roughly 10-20 degrees hotter than outside. How is this right to keep the AICs inside the institution? Not all prisons have Swamp Coolers or A/C, so why make this statement.

    aicsadvocate asked 13 days ago

    Thank you for your questions. Due to security concerns, we are unable to provide the written ambient heat plans. As for what items are provided to an AIC free of charge, DOC provides shorts and sleeveless shirts, hand towels that can then be wet in cell sinks to help cool off, and electrolyte supplementation.

  • Share How come they don't have ice at Snake River? Also the fans that aics are able to buy for personal use take batteries that cost ¢.51 each and the fans take 4 total and it will only power the fan for about a day! Which is also about a days wage... What are they supposed to do? Or have you guys just completely forgot about the. Out there? Out of sight out of mind? on Facebook Share How come they don't have ice at Snake River? Also the fans that aics are able to buy for personal use take batteries that cost ¢.51 each and the fans take 4 total and it will only power the fan for about a day! Which is also about a days wage... What are they supposed to do? Or have you guys just completely forgot about the. Out there? Out of sight out of mind? on Twitter Share How come they don't have ice at Snake River? Also the fans that aics are able to buy for personal use take batteries that cost ¢.51 each and the fans take 4 total and it will only power the fan for about a day! Which is also about a days wage... What are they supposed to do? Or have you guys just completely forgot about the. Out there? Out of sight out of mind? on Linkedin Email How come they don't have ice at Snake River? Also the fans that aics are able to buy for personal use take batteries that cost ¢.51 each and the fans take 4 total and it will only power the fan for about a day! Which is also about a days wage... What are they supposed to do? Or have you guys just completely forgot about the. Out there? Out of sight out of mind? link

    How come they don't have ice at Snake River? Also the fans that aics are able to buy for personal use take batteries that cost ¢.51 each and the fans take 4 total and it will only power the fan for about a day! Which is also about a days wage... What are they supposed to do? Or have you guys just completely forgot about the. Out there? Out of sight out of mind?

    Kaylagene asked 13 days ago

    Thank you for your questions. At this time, ice is not available to AICs at SRCI, except for medical use only. As for the issue with using batteries to power personal fans, a charging cord for the personal fans is available for AICs to purchase through commissary if they would prefer to use that instead of batteries.

  • Share Is there any precautions to provide cooling for visitors? At SRCI, visitors line up outside. The extreme weather is very dangerous for visitors sitting up to 45 minutes prior to the doors opening on Facebook Share Is there any precautions to provide cooling for visitors? At SRCI, visitors line up outside. The extreme weather is very dangerous for visitors sitting up to 45 minutes prior to the doors opening on Twitter Share Is there any precautions to provide cooling for visitors? At SRCI, visitors line up outside. The extreme weather is very dangerous for visitors sitting up to 45 minutes prior to the doors opening on Linkedin Email Is there any precautions to provide cooling for visitors? At SRCI, visitors line up outside. The extreme weather is very dangerous for visitors sitting up to 45 minutes prior to the doors opening link

    Is there any precautions to provide cooling for visitors? At SRCI, visitors line up outside. The extreme weather is very dangerous for visitors sitting up to 45 minutes prior to the doors opening

    Margraves asked 13 days ago

    Thank you for your question. Currently to prevent having to wait outside in the heat, entrance to the SRCI for visiting is opened at the start of the posted visiting times.

Page published: 11 Aug 2025, 12:09 PM