SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Penitentiary is projected to become functionally obsolete in the near future, according to a new audit from the Secretary of State’s office.
According to the audit, the prison was built in 1866 with expansions in the 1950s and today holds nearly 1,800 adults in custody. Auditors found numerous risks to health and safety at the penitentiary.
Old pipes are creating water quality and safety issues, with signs telling people to run the water for five minutes before using it. Interior temperatures soar past 90 degrees in the summer. Some adults in custody attempt to break windows to improve air ventilation…