Buyers: Contracts with Oregon Corrections Enterprises

[campus buyers announcement list]

Hello Campus Buyers,



I writing to let you know that UO has made an institutional decision to end any contracts for the purchase of goods or services from Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE), a semi-independent state program that connects private and public organizations with people who are incarcerated, due to OCE's practice of using compelled labor.  Accordingly, please do not make any purchases from OCE moving forward.



UO has made this decision because there are serious concerns about the use of compelled labor and has grappled with this complicated issue. Under current law people who are incarcerated are required to work full-time for extremely low wages.  However, OCE jobs are some of the most sought-after positions at the prison and provide people who are incarcerated with valuable job training and skills. While we recognize the benefits of the program, ultimately, we have determined that the practice of using compelled labor does not align with our institutional mission and values.



For some background, in 2021 the Oregon State Legislature passed House Joint Resolution 5 (HJR5).  HJR5 repeals the section of the Oregon Constitution that requires people who are incarcerated in correctional institutions to engage in full-time work or on-the-job training and refers the amendment to the voters.   If the referendum passes, UO will assess the resulting impact as it relates to compelled labor and alignment with our institutional mission and values. UO will re-evaluate our position, as necessary.



Please let me know if you have any questions.



Best,



-Greg



Greg Shabram

Chief Procurement Officer

University of Oregon

gshabram at uoregon.edu<mailto:gshabram at uoregon.edu>

Office: (541) 346-2419

Direct: (541) 346-3742

Pronouns: he/him/his



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