Astoria, OR – The recent dismissal of two high-ranking health care officials within the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) has drawn intense criticism and skepticism from those advocating for the rights of the state’s incarcerated population. The firings, which occurred on February 3, involved Joe Bugher, the assistant director of ODOC Health Services, and Dr. Warren Roberts, the former chief of medicine.
These actions follow an internal investigation into the state’s prison health care system, which led to an 84-page, heavily redacted report released in December. The report highlighted ongoing concerns about inmate care at Oregon’s 12 correctional facilities.
Despite ODOC’s reassurances that changes are forthcoming, including the hiring of a health services recruiter and the introduction of a new electronic health records system, many are not optimistic about the future of prison health care in the state. Advocates for incarcerated individuals argue that these measures fall short of addressing the core issues, and they are calling on state lawmakers to intervene.
Juan Chavez, project director for the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC), expressed doubt that the firings of Bugher and Roberts would lead to substantial improvements. Chavez stated, “They are insulated. They are their own kingdom within the state of Oregon. I don’t see anything changing here. Even removing Joe Bugher and Dr. Roberts… even their removal, I don’t think changes the core problem.”
The OJRC has been critical of ODOC’s handling of inmate health care for years. According to Chavez, there has been a significant decline in the availability of medical care for prisoners over the past five years. Chavez also noted that many inmates report retaliation for seeking medical attention, as well as other forms of mistreatment, including physical abuse by guards and fellow inmates.
“It’s an issue at the prison level, not necessarily something at DOC headquarters level. It seems more of a political move to me,” said Iris Henderson, the relative of an inmate at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution. Her family member, Jason Tixier, has experienced long delays in receiving medications and has reported that medical requests are often ignored.
Chavez emphasized that meaningful change will only come when state legislators or the governor’s office demand reform. He further argued that unless higher-level leadership is overhauled, problems within the health care system will persist. “We hear from folks on the inside, that they are not getting adequate medical care. They’re being retaliated against. They’re being beat up, either by guards or by others,” Chavez said. “We try to intervene.”
In addition to health care complaints, the OJRC has also been involved in addressing broader issues at ODOC. In 2021, the organization led a class action lawsuit against the department for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in an expedited vaccine rollout for incarcerated individuals.
Despite the challenges, ODOC insists that it is committed to improving health care services. The department has hired an outside firm to review its health care division and has reiterated that inmates can file grievances via the Inspector General Hotline at no cost.
The tension surrounding the health care situation at ODOC is compounded by other legal battles, such as a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by a former inmate at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution. James Watkins, the plaintiff in the case, named the two fired officials—Bugher and Roberts—among the defendants, accusing them of causing or failing to prevent abuse.
As the situation unfolds, the future of health care for incarcerated individuals in Oregon remains uncertain. Advocates for prison reform continue to call for systemic changes, arguing that true improvement can only be achieved through comprehensive leadership overhaul and stronger oversight from the state.
