In a move aimed at addressing the challenges facing the Oregon prison system, the state has appointed former Portland Police Chief and Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese to take charge. The newly appointed leader of Oregon prisons brings experience to the role. Reese is set to start Nov. 13. His annual salary will be $241,224 according to the governor’s office.
With a deep understanding of the complexities of law enforcement and correctional systems, the appointment aims to address the pressing issues faced by Oregon’s prisons. Gov. Tina Kotek named the former sheriff of Multnomah County and chief of the Portland Police Bureau to the position Tuesday. The Oregon prison system has been grappling with numerous challenges.
“The governor’s staff reached out to me and asked if I was interested,” Reese said. “I didn’t know that the position was open. And after a conversation with the governor’s staff and the governor, I felt really strongly this was the right opportunity for me and an opportunity to jump back into public safety.”
The appointment of a former Portland Chief and Multnomah County Sheriff to lead Oregon prisons is seen as a positive step toward addressing the system’s challenges. With extensive experience in law enforcement and having run jails, the new leader is expected to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the table.
The Oregon Department of Corrections has a roughly $2 billion budget and houses roughly 12,000 adults in custody across 12 prisons. This change in leadership signals a commitment to change and improving the overall conditions within the prisons. However, last spring, the county auditor released a report that stated conditions in the Multnomah county’s two jails are worse for people in custody who are Black and those with mental health issues.
