By Ben Botkin, Oregon Capital Chronicle
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Corrections has made significant changes to its leadership by firing two top health care managers. These individuals were responsible for the healthcare of around 12,000 inmates across various state prisons.
The state corrections agency announced this decision following a year filled with scrutiny and criticism over its healthcare system, particularly regarding care provided to women in custody. In early December, the agency had already placed Health Services Assistant Director Joe Bugher and medical chief Dr. Warren Roberts on administrative leave due to rising concerns. An outside accrediting agency previously found a backlog of nearly 600 medical appointments at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, which is Oregon’s women’s prison.
On January 23, the agency’s top officials held meetings with Bugher and Roberts before officially firing them. This action followed an internal investigation that exposed numerous issues with inmate care. A heavily redacted report revealed serious delays in medical appointments and inadequate treatment impacting patients’ health.
For instance, some inmates waited over a year to receive necessary care, and staff expressed doubts about Dr. Roberts’ qualifications to make critical health decisions, particularly concerning treatment for women. The report also indicated that inadequacies were found in how female inmates were treated, especially for those who had experienced trauma.
Bugher and Roberts were also accused of dishonesty during the agency’s investigation, particularly regarding a claim made by an inmate. Their actions reportedly included creating false meeting records and retaliating against staff who raised concerns.
In light of these events, Oregon Department of Corrections Director Mike Reese emphasized the importance of reorganizing the health services division, noting that the system faces challenges from mental health issues, addiction, and an aging inmate population.
To improve healthcare within the prisons, the agency has hired Falcon Correctional and Community Services, a consulting firm known for its work in prison healthcare. This one-year contract, costing around $550,000, will focus on reviewing the agency’s healthcare practices and systems.
Deputy Director Heidi Steward will oversee the Health Services Division during this review. Dr. Michael Seale will serve as interim chief of medicine; he brings extensive experience in correctional healthcare, including integrating various health services for inmates.
The agency plans to strengthen its staffing by actively seeking qualified healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and mental health experts. Additionally, they are implementing a new electronic health records system to enhance record-keeping and ensure better tracking of medical treatments across all facilities.
Both Bugher and Roberts had held prominent roles within the agency, with Roberts earning close to $381,000 annually and Bugher earning about $241,000. Their dismissals reflect ongoing efforts to rectify serious concerns about the quality of healthcare provided in Oregon’s correctional facilities.
Past incidents show how significant the impact of poor medical care can be, even affecting inmates long after their release. One former inmate recently settled a lawsuit for $1.5 million, alleging inadequate treatment for a head injury while incarcerated. There are also two ongoing wrongful death lawsuits against the agency, claiming that inadequate medical care led to inmates’ deaths.
