Oregon Corrections Department Puts 2 Officials On Leave Pending Investigation
Amidst concerns about inmates’ health care, the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) put two high-ranking officials on paid administrative leave on Thursday pending an investigation.
Oregon DOC Puts Senior Officials Dr. Warren Roberts and Joe Bugher On Leave
The DOC has launched a human resources investigation and placed chief of medicine, Dr. Warren Roberts, and assistant director for health services, Joe Bugher, on paid administrative leave after issues were raised about the health care of inmates, especially at Oregon’s women’s prison, Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.
Roberts, a trained neurosurgeon licensed since 2001, joined the agency at Coffee Creek in 2019 as a corrections physician before being promoted to clinical director in September 2020 and the agency’s chief of medicine in December 2020. He earns an annual salary of almost $381,000.
The records of the Oregon Medical Board indicate that Roberts was placed on a corrective plan to avoid formal disciplinary action in 2020 as part of a settlement in which he undertook a one-year mentorship with a physician and a separate surgical mentorship program should he resume a surgical practice.
DOC spokesperson Amber Campbell said Roberts did not perform surgeries.
Bugher started in 2004 as a correctional officer at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario. He progressed to becoming a counselor in 2008 and moved into a management role in the prison’s behavioral health unit in 2012.
He was promoted to assistant director in 2017 but is not a doctor. Bugher’s annual salary is $241,000.
Oregon Department Of Corrections Investigations Into Health Officials
The DOC declined to give any details about the investigation.
Still, an outside accrediting agency identified a backlog of almost 600 medical appointments at Coffee Creek women’s prison, and one of the inmates settled a lawsuit for $1.5 million last year after alleging treatment for a traumatic brain injury was inadequate after ER doctors recommended a neurologist.
Oregon DOC Director Mike Reese said health care for adults in custody is a top priority at the agency, which has a legal responsibility and moral obligation to deliver quality care to those in custody.
According to Reese, an unnamed third-party qualified expert has been appointed to investigate the management of the agency’s health care system.
Reese also indicated that Deputy Director Heidi Steward will run the agency’s Health Services Division while the investigation is ongoing.
I just recently released from Coffee Creek and the medical there is absolutely horrible. From February through June, I underwent 3 major stomach surgeries. Long story short; it all started with a perforated colon. Medical staff told me that I had food poisoning. Well, that lasted for about 2 weeks until I went full septic and was rushed to the hospital. I nearly died because of this. I’m so glad that somebody is looking into Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.
Are people actually that blind? you dont see how unethical this entire situation seems to be and who gets a choice of whether a want a formal complaint against me or o will take the paid leave and easy route and get this swept under the rug?
And mike reese? A total conflict of interest, he now gets to control whether or not someone leaves prison , when he was literally the cop who put the inmate in prison? Thats Bs and corrupt as hell!!! Wasnt Reese a cheif of police or something to that affect prior to The doc job?