| Coffee Creek Correctional Facility Fire |
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| Electrical Fire at CCCF |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2002
Contact:
Perrin Damon, DOC Communications Mgr., 503-945-0925
perrin.p.damon@state.or.us
or
Norma Land, Coffee Creek PIO, 503-570-6405
Electrical Fire Delays Opening of Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
An electrical fire in the main computer room of Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville last night has caused the Department of Corrections to postpone occupancy by inmates of the medium-security facility, which was scheduled to begin today.
Shortly after 11 p.m., Sunday, April 14, a fire of unknown origin in the prison’s computer room caused the adjacent Master Control Center to be shut down and evacuated due to smoke. No one was hurt.
The prison’s fire suppression system was triggered. Additionally, crews from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue responded. Because the fire was electrical in nature, it does not appear to have had a major impact on property; however staff assessments are continuing.
“We will not bring medium-custody inmates to the facility until all systems are up and running,” said Superintendent Joan Palmateer. “We are working through the details and may be able to better estimate the impact of the fire on our schedule by the end of the day.”
Fifty-six medium-custody female inmates were scheduled to move to Coffee Creek today, with the balance being transferred gradually throughout the remainder of the month. Male intake inmates are also affected; the Department of Corrections will be working closely with its county partners to minimize the effect of the delay on their jail populations.
The minimum custody facility, which was occupied in October 2001, was unaffected and its 346 inmates were not evacuated.
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility is a 1360-bed multi-security prison that will accommodate all of the state’s female inmates and provide intake processing and evaluation of all newly committed state prison inmates.
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