In a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety, significant discussions centered around staffing shortages and their impact on the state's ability to provide necessary care for incarcerated individuals. The committee highlighted the urgent need for additional staffing to address ongoing challenges in scheduling and transporting inmates for off-site care.

Currently, the state has five schedulers assigned to various institutions, but the demand for appointments is outpacing available resources. To alleviate this issue, the committee is in the process of hiring two more schedulers on the West side of the state and is considering additional transport staff to ensure that inmates can receive timely medical attention. The East side, particularly at Snake River, is facing its own challenges, necessitating an expansion of transport capabilities.

The discussions revealed that staffing shortages have historically hindered the system's ability to facilitate off-site care, contributing to a backlog of appointments. The committee is committed to evaluating the needs across the state to determine the appropriate number of permanent staff required to prevent future issues.

Additionally, the committee expressed interest in understanding the demographics of the aging incarcerated population. A request was made for data on inmates over the age of 65, including their offenses and remaining sentences, to better grasp the challenges faced by this group.

As the committee continues to address these staffing and care issues, the outcomes of these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of public safety and health services within Oregon's correctional facilities. The focus remains on ensuring that all individuals receive the care they need while also addressing the systemic challenges that have persisted in the state's correctional system.