A fundamental value of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is to hold ourselves and each other accountable. We also strive for continuous improvement, approaching every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and expect all members to serve everyone with dignity and respect. This commitment forms the foundation of our corrections operations, where properly functioning classification and disciplinary systems are vital to providing effective management within a secure environment. By grounding our operations in standardized best practices, we are helping to ensure the effective operation of our correctional facilities while upholding the legal rights, safety, and equitable treatment of all adults in custody.
Recognizing that classification is a major component of the correctional process, affecting both facility control and personal welfare, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office takes this function with the greatest responsibility. During the booking process, trained sworn corrections deputies conduct a thorough intake and processing assessment of every housed adult in custody. They evaluate the potential risks a person poses to themselves, other adults in custody, and facility staff, alongside their escape risks. Because human behavior can change over the course of incarceration, our classification decisions are based on continuous evaluation cycles designed to adapt security levels and correctional resources to a person’s evolving needs and behaviors while prioritizing the least restrictive housing.
In tandem with appropriate classification processes, consistent and equitable discipline is a requisite for maintaining a correctional environment that encourages personal responsibility. To mitigate complaints and help ensure equitable practices, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has a rigorous, multi-staged disciplinary review process. Disciplinary actions are reviewed by our disciplinary hearing officers, helping to ensure every decision is fair.
Ultimately, the safety and security of adults in custody, deputies, and all jail employees remains our highest priority, which directly guides our protocols regarding the use of force. While our members are trained to exhaust all safe and practical de-escalation techniques – such as empathetic communication, creating distance, and building rapport – we recognize that to preserve life and maintain facility security the use of force may be unavoidable in certain high-risk circumstances. When force is necessary, MCSO deputies are guided to deploy only the minimum amount required to safely resolve the conflict. Every use of force is documented, tracked and subject to an extensive review process, ensuring accountability and the continuous refinement of our safety practices.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office welcomes reviews of our practices. These reviews, both internal and external, support our commitment to transparency, safety, and excellence. Each year, we actively participate in the Multnomah County Correctional Facilities Community Inspection Program as well as the annual corrections grand jury inspection mandated by Oregon law under ORS 132.440, which requires an independent inquiry into the condition and management of every county correctional facility at least once a year.
MCSO was one of the very first agencies to complete the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association (OSSA) Jail Accreditation process, demonstrating our leadership in statewide corrections. This comprehensive process recurs every two years and is specifically designed to raise the bar by improving facility management, reducing liability, and creating vital consistency across Oregon's county jails. Furthermore, our standard of care and excellence extends to our partners at Multnomah County Corrections Health. Operated by the Health Department, Corrections Health recently earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) with a perfect, maximum score of 100%.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the time and effort dedicated by the County Auditor’s Office in preparing the recent status evaluation on jail conditions. As an independently elected official, the Auditor plays a distinct role in county oversight, and we value objective feedback that can inform our path toward continuous improvement. We appreciate the Auditor's insights and will thoroughly review the recommendations provided.
Prior to the public release of the report, the Sheriff’s Office made a proactive, good-faith effort to collaborate with the Auditor after receiving an advance copy, raising questions about the specific analysis conducted. It is disappointing that the Auditor’s office chose not to meet with us to address these concerns. This lack of collaborative dialogue has unfortunately resulted in statements that mischaracterize the rigorous, daily work of our dedicated corrections deputies. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to transparency and evidence-based safety, as reflected in our own comprehensive public data – including our Corrections Division Annual Use of Force Report – and we will continue to let industry best practices guide the care and safety of everyone in our facilities.