My personal experience as an ex-adult in custody within the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) has morphed into a motivation to demand change and accountability. The shrouded silence surrounding suicides among adults in custody disturbs me deeply. It should also concern you, fellow citizens, particularly as taxpayers whose finances contribute to the operation of these institutions.

Despite that emotional distress and mental health challenges are known to be prevalent among incarcerated individuals, sufficiently comprehensive measures seem to be lacking in prevention and crisis management within the ODOC. Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals an increasing trend in suicide rates in U.S. correctional facilities, underscoring the urgency to address this issue.

ODOC should be transparent about the number of individuals who have ended their lives while under their supervision. This disclosure isn't just about numbers, but an insight into the pressures, challenges, and possible systemic failures that need our urgent attention. Transparency can be a catalyst for comprehensive changes in the ways our correctional facilities handle mental health issues.

A call is made for the ODOC's complete transparency regarding suicide rates. Let's push for a system that values rehabilitation and mental health in the journey of correction, instead of veiling the tragic results of when this is overlooked. Please sign this petition to compel the Oregon Department of Corrections to disclose the number of custodial suicides and to reassess its policies around mental health.