Officials: Multnomah County jails nearing capacity an ongoing 'emergency'

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Officials are raising the alarm after Multnomah County temporarily experienced more than 90% of its available jail beds being occupied amid an ongoing staffing crisis.

On Monday, Multnomah County jails triggered a yellow warning when they reached 92% capacity. At 95%, the county kicks into emergency mode, releasing prisoners based on risk level.

On Tuesday morning, the county went back into the green as the capacity lowered once again to safe levels, at 87%. Even still, Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell called the situation "not an acceptable outcome."

"Forced releases, when you look at the system as a whole, that is a reflection of the failure of our systems of accountability and our rehabilitative goals," O'Donnell said.

This isn't the first time the jail population floated near 90% recently. On Thursday, Oct. 24, the jail system reached 89% capacity.

Oregon U.S. Attorney Natalie K. Wight warned that the potential for political unrest with the presidential election next month could exasperate the issue.

"This is an emergency as far as I'm concerned. Obviously, we are involved in a very small part of the federal system, but also coming up with elections," Wight said.

Complicating matters even more is the re-introduction of criminal penalties for people possessing small amounts of hard drugs in Oregon, thanks to the passage of HB 4002. This is despite Multnomah County opting to start a deflection program to try and get people into treatment instead of sending them to jail.

"I believe we need to do everything that's possible to alleviate any jail population emergencies and advocate for a system that is responsive and meets the public safety concerns of our community," O'Donnell said.

The sheriff's office said between the Multnomah County Inverness Jail and the Multnomah County Detention Center, they have 1,130 total beds available. On Monday night, 1,043 of those beds were filled. The number went down to 978 occupied beds by Tuesday morning.

The number of people in custody has also been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's very concerning. And while we're temporarily back below. We don't want to get at 90% because again — that really compromises both the services and the safety of correction staff, and the adults in custody," said Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards.

Brim-Edwards said the issue is driven in part by chronic underfunding of the jails, which impacts everything from overtime to the ability for prisoners to be transported or contact a lawyer.

Chris Liedel, a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, confirmed to KOIN 6 News that there are currently 30 corrections staff vacancies.

Brim-Edwards said to address these staffing issues, she's tried to get more money for the sheriff in the most recent budget but was unsuccessful.

"We were able to get half the amount, but only as one-time funds, which is not at all adequate. And we're now seeing the results of that which is the sheriff not having the personnel to be able to adequately staff the jails in a way that keeps our community safe and keeps the people inside and our staff safe," Brim-Edwards said.

KOIN 6 reached out to Multnomah County Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson for her comment about the issue. This was her response:

"I am committed to supporting the Sheriff and public safety in our community now and in the longer term. I have directed Central Human Resources, in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office HR, to innovate in our efforts to keep the Sheriff and her staff resourced at this critical time. We are following best practices and moving swiftly in support of the Multnomah County Sheriff to meet ongoing staffing and recent capacity challenges to make sure this level of care is met."

KOIN 6 will continue to monitor this story and the status of jail bed capacity in Multnomah County.