Many similar conversations are heard around the institution each day according to Chaplain Dave Cassel. Dave recently reflected . Not many, I figured. It is not uncommon for some security staff to ignore correctional program activity. That is not the case at EOCI in Pendleton, Oregon.
Correctional programs are important here.
EOCI has separate designated housing for substance abusers and mentally disturbed inmates, a fine mental health team, four integrated cognitive self-change programs, an excellent education and workforce development section, and a very active religious services section, an integrated approach. Clearly, these two parts need to work to together. To that end, Chaplain Dave Cassel has developed Religious Services Program, working in partnership with EOCI security and administration, that is averaging over 2,700 inmates in attendance at religious activities every month and growing, in an institution with a 1,600 bed housing capacity. When Dave became EOCI's first chaplain in 1987, it wasn't like that. EOCI had limited resources for programs, almost a token afterthought, mostly consisting of an undersized education section, one substance abuse class, and eight hours a week of mental health counseling.