Oregon prison launches inmate call center, offers wages and job skills
OREGON, UNITED STATES — Eight inmates at Oregon’s Powder River Correctional Facility are now earning more than double their usual wages by working in a newly opened call center located in a minimum-security prison.
Operated by Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE), the program aims to equip inmates with marketable skills while filling labor gaps under strict AI-monitored security protocols.
Higher wages and selective opportunities
Inmates at Powder River can now earn up to $240 per month, a significant increase from the $60 they typically make in kitchen or maintenance jobs, by meeting performance goals in OCE’s call center.
The program, which began May 7, is highly selective, requiring good behavior and exclusion from substance abuse treatment due to scheduling conflicts. According to Joey Cockram, administrative services manager, many inmates apply for call center jobs because they are valued, and eligible workers must meet with the program coordinator, Valeria Pimentel, to submit their applications.
OCE’s call centers, operational since 2013, train inmates in sales and communication skills, with past participants securing post-release employment. Galvan Lomboy cited three former inmates who leveraged their experience into jobs.
“A lot of people would like this job,” Lomboy said.
The Baker City facility joins four other Oregon prisons hosting similar programs, reinforcing OCE’s mission to reduce recidivism through workforce readiness.
Strict security measures with AI surveillance
The call center operates under tight restrictions, including AI-powered voice monitoring to flag unauthorized language during outbound sales calls for a Michigan-based roofing product.
Inmates can’t use phones for any purpose other than the sales script, said prison administrator Joey Cockram.
OCE’s model, which also includes furniture manufacturing and printing, highlights a growing trend of public-private partnerships in corrections.
The balance of labor opportunity and security reflects OCE’s broader strategy to provide low-cost services to businesses while maintaining institutional control.
