High-Ranking Jail Official Is on Leave

The long short-staffed division has been in turmoil following an unprecedented series of 11 inmate deaths in recent years.

Multnomah County's downtown jail. (Brian Burk)
By Lucas Manfield

Multnomah County has lost yet another top jail official, WW has learned.

Corrections Health deputy director Tony Gaines, who was just promoted to the post in April, has been on administrative leave since Dec. 9. County officials won’t say why.

The long short-staffed division has been in turmoil following an unprecedented series of 11 inmate deaths in recent years.

Its most recent dedicated director, Myque Obiero, resigned in May following a vote of no confidence by staff. It’s now being run by the county’s deputy health director until the county can recruit a replacement.

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