1. (1) Prior to Adult in Custody Death: When imminent death can be predicted, Health Services employees will work with the officer-of-the-day to ensure that all appropriate notifications are completed in advance, including the medical examiner.
2. (2) Outside Work Crews: In the event of an incident involving death or possible death of an adult in custody assigned to an outside crew, the work crew supervisor will immediately activate local emergency medical services, if available. The work crew supervisor will then notify the applicable facility. The officer-in-charge of the facility will be responsible to implement the procedures outlined in OAR 291-027-0030 Assessment and Security.
3. (3) Interstate Corrections Compact Adult in Custody Sentenced to Department of Corrections: The Interstate Corrections Compact agreement for all adults in custody sentenced to the Department of Corrections will address the arrangements to be used if the adult in custody dies while in the custody of the receiving jurisdiction. Details of the agreement will include required notifications, transport of the body or remains, and financial responsibility for associated costs.
4. (4) Rental Bed Adult in Custody: Local jurisdictions will report the death of any Department of Corrections adult in custody who is in their custody to the Department of Corrections as soon as possible and provide all requested information. The Department of Corrections is responsible for making final disposition of the adult in custody’s body and providing notice to the adult in custody’s emergency contact person. These arrangements will be included in all rental bed agreements.

5. (5) Outside Medical Facility: When an adult in custody dies while under the care of an outside medical facility, the employee(s) assigned to the hospital watch or medical trip escort will be responsible for immediately contacting the officer-in-charge at the deceased adult in custody’s assigned institution.

   1. (a) The officer-in-charge of the facility will be responsible to implement the procedures outlined in OAR 291-027-0030 Assessment and Security.
   2. (b) The officer-in-charge will determine if a crime scene log needs to be initiated.
   3. (c) Arrangements for transportation of the deceased adult in custody from the outside medical facility to the designated mortuary will be made in accordance with contracts or local agreements negotiated by the department.
   4. (d) The employee(s) assigned to hospital watch will remain with the deceased adult in custody until the designated mortuary has taken control of the remains. Exceptions may be made by the functional unit manager or designee only after coordination with the assigned State Police investigator.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

History

DOC 18-2026, amend filed 06/08/2026, effective 06/08/2026
DOC 8-2011, f. 4-29-11, cert. ef. 5-2-11
CD 7-1994, f. 3-18-94, cert. ef. 4-1-94