In November 2022, Multnomah County voters approved Measure 26-233, a County Charter amendment recommended by the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee that requires Board members to conduct at least one additional inspection of County jails per calendar year, with at least one volunteer member of the public to accompany the Board. This is in addition to the Board’s yearly inspection already required by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS 169.040) and the County Charter. The first additional inspection was carried out during the 2023 calendar year with four members of the public.
This additional yearly jail inspection accompanied by public volunteers is now known as the Correctional Facilities Community Inspection Program (CFCIP).
Preparation for the 2025 Correctional Facilities Community Inspection Program is underway. Multnomah County will soon seek applicants for volunteers to accompany the Board of County Commissioners during the 2025 additional inspection. The application period is slated to open Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
The County will also hold two CFCIP informational sessions this summer:
- Virtual: Wednesday, July 23, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- In-person: Tuesday, Aug. 5 (time and location TBD)
Please RSVP for those sessions here.
If you are interested in applying to CFCIP, you may also send your contact information to CFCIP@multco.us to be notified when the application is available.
Information about the 2025 Selection Process
Requirements and considerations
- Applicants who meet the following qualifications will be prioritized:
- Those who live or work in the county, or have a demonstrated connection to Multnomah County.
- Those who have lived experience or a connection to communities disproportionately impacted by institutionalization and/or incarceration.
- The volunteer application includes demographic questions, as well as supplementary questions. Applicants are also required to complete:
- a Records Check Authorization form and be approved to access a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office corrections facility. (Please note: having previous contact with law enforcement is not necessarily disqualifying for this opportunity)
- a Facility Entry Agreement in order to access a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office corrections facility.
- Applications will be sorted by county district based on their residential address. (An applicant who does not live in Multnomah County will be assigned to the district of their place of employment. If an applicant neither lives nor works in Multnomah County, they will be assigned to the address associated with their demonstrated connection to the County.)
- District offices will evaluate their respective applicants, schedule finalist interviews and make their final selection.
Expectations of Selected Applicants
- Attend an orientation that includes information about the expectations and responsibilities of the role, as well as safety measures when visiting facilities.
- Attend an annual inspection of the Multnomah County Detention Center and Multnomah County Inverness Jail, in person.
- Participate in developing a report with their findings and recommendations from the inspection.
2025 Project Team
- Multnomah County Office of the Chief Operating Officer
- Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
- Local Public Safety Coordinating Council
- Multnomah County Communications
Previous Correctional Facilities Community Inspection Program Materials
Find information about and reports resulting from the 2023 Correctional Facilities Community Inspection Program here.
Find information about and reports resulting from the 2024 CFCIP here.
Background on Measure 26-233
In November 2006, Multnomah County passed Resolution 06-198, which established a policy requiring the Board of County Commissioners to conduct an annual inspection of each County correctional facility, as mandated by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 169.040. The resolution recognized that regular inspections are essential to ensuring that County jail facilities are being run in accordance with best practices and that the rights of justice-involved individuals in custody are being protected.
In November 2022, Multnomah County voters approved Measure 26-233, a County Charter amendment recommended by the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee that requires Board members to conduct at least one additional inspection of County jails administered by the Sheriff's Office per calendar year. The amendment also mandates that at least one volunteer member of the public accompanies each Board member during the inspection.
The Charter amendment is another step toward ensuring that correctional facilities in Multnomah County are operated in a transparent and accountable manner. Currently, the Multnomah County Detention Center and Multnomah County Inverness Jail undergo external evaluations and receive recommendations provided by the Board of County Commissioners, an annual Corrections Grand Jury process facilitated by the District Attorney’s Office and conducted independently by Multnomah County residents, and the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association’s inspections. These inspections are intended to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and best practices. Other organizations, such as Disability Rights Oregon, also have oversight authority that continues to guide policies and practices.
The involvement of a volunteer member of the public in the inspection process will provide an additional layer of oversight. Multnomah County is committed to upholding high standards of safety, fairness and justice within its correctional facilities.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the Correctional Facilities Community Inspection Program, please send an email to CFCIP@multco.us.