A new state of Oregon-commissioned report found that its women-only Coffee Creek Correctional Facility has “a punitive, para military atmosphere,” News From The States reports. The Wilsonville facility, which houses about 870 female inmates, is under scrutiny, with calls from Gov. Tina Kotek for improvements after the release of the state’s report and a report released in July by the Oregon Justice Resource Center. Both reports found harsh conditions for inmates and punishments for people who report wrongdoing. The state’s report also detailed staff input, which includes low morale and concerns about “inadequate training programs.”
The facility was subject to discussion after then-Sgt. Antony Ruvalcaba tased officer Michael Kilgus near his spine and ignored his need for medical detention. “What happens in training stays in training,” Ruvalcaba said at the time. Documents show that senior officers were angry about a joke Kilgus had posted on social media about his training for a spot on the prison’s tactical team, which responds to security threats at Coffee Creek. Ruvalcaba was not certified to train officers on using a taser. Kilgus sued the Oregon Department of Corrections in 2020, alleging that the state violated his rights by targeting him for tasing because of the social media post and denied him medical care. The two sides agreed to a $38,000 settlement in March. Officials faced a barrage of untruthful and misleading answers from Ruvalcaba, who is now retired..
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