The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) has fired two top health care officials overseeing medical care for roughly 12,000 inmates across a dozen state prisons. The decision follows escalating criticism of the department’s health services and a scathing internal investigation that uncovered widespread failures in medical care.
Leadership Shake-Up in Corrections Health Care
Joe Bugher, the assistant director of Health Services, and Dr. Warren Roberts, the agency’s chief medical officer, were officially dismissed on Monday. Their terminations mark a significant shift in the agency’s approach to inmate health care, which has faced intense scrutiny over the past year.
Both officials had been placed on administrative leave in December as part of an internal review. That investigation, culminating in an 84-page report, highlighted systemic problems—including severe delays in medical appointments and inappropriate medical protocols—that left inmates suffering prolonged health issues. The report also pointed to troubling misconduct, including falsified records and retaliatory behavior against staff who raised concerns.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Patterns of Neglect
The investigation revealed an alarming backlog of medical appointments, with nearly 600 pending at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison, as of early last year. Delays in external medical referrals, requiring Roberts’ approval, left some patients waiting more than a year for critical care.
One particularly disturbing finding involved the treatment of female inmates. Roberts reportedly mandated unnecessary and repeated medical examinations for inmates seeking medication for genital herpes, despite potential histories of sexual trauma. Staff members also questioned whether Roberts, a neurosurgeon by training, had the appropriate expertise to oversee general medical care for the incarcerated population.
Untruthful Conduct and Retaliation Allegations
The internal report further detailed multiple instances of misleading and dishonest conduct. Both Bugher and Roberts were found to have been untruthful during questioning regarding a tort claim filed by an inmate. Investigators also accused Roberts of fabricating meetings in work records and punishing employees who raised concerns about inmate treatment.
A particularly damning section of the report noted that staffers felt pressured to follow directives that they knew compromised patient care. Employees described a toxic environment where questioning leadership decisions resulted in professional retaliation.
What Happens Next?
The Oregon DOC has vowed to conduct a full-scale review of its health care system. The department has not yet announced who will take over the roles vacated by Bugher and Roberts, but corrections officials emphasize that changes are necessary to restore confidence in the prison health care system.
DOC Director Mike Reese, who took the helm in October 2023, has positioned the leadership shake-up as a crucial step in addressing longstanding issues. With 634 employees working in the health services division, along with contracts with outside specialists, the department faces significant challenges in ensuring timely and effective care for inmates moving forward.
While the full scope of the department’s corrective measures remains unclear, one thing is certain: this latest scandal has cast a harsh spotlight on Oregon’s prison health care system, raising urgent questions about oversight, accountability, and the fundamental rights of incarcerated individuals.
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