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Prison club for Oregon’s convicted killers investigated for financial ‘discrepancies’

by | May 8, 2022 | Headline Feed, News

A meeting of the Lifers' Unlimited Club at the Oregon State Penitentiary. The club's 119 members -- all convicted killers -- oversee a lucrative fund-raising endeavor. February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A prisoner uses a payphone in the activities room at the Oregon State Penitentiary during a meeting of the Lifer’s Unlimited Club, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff Lifers' Unlimited Club notices hang from the metal fencing that separates the the club's offices from the larger activities room inside Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A meeting of the Lifer’s Unlimited Club at Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff In U.S. prison culture, lifers tend to represent a stabilizing force in a volatile environment, said Portland State University's Christopher M. Campbell. “They try to be role models for other adults in custody. They are not going out of their way to snitch on anybody, but they don’t like it when people make life difficult for them.” A meeting of the Lifer’s Club at Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A bank of pay phones inside the auditorium where the Lifer’s Unlimited Club meets inside the prison. February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff At a meeting of the Lifer’s Unlimited Club inside the prison, participants in the making of the Japanese garden inside the prison held a presentation for the club. The elaborate garden, the making of which was spearheaded by members of the Asian Pacific Family Club and the Veterans Association, is now thriving inside the prison walls. February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A meeting of the Lifers' Unlimited Club at Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff Notices referencing the Lifers' Unlimited Club hang inside Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A meeting of the Lifer’s Unlimited Club at Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A notice hangs from the metal fencing that separates the meeting space of the Lifers' Unlimited Club's offices from the rest of the activities room at Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff Notices referencing the Lifers' Unlimited Club hang inside Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff A meeting of the Lifer’s Unlimited Club at Oregon State Penitentiary, February 13, 2019. Beth Nakamura/Staff

The newsletters provide chatty updates on the wholesome pursuits of a civic-minded club: barbecues, toy drives and backpacks filled with school supplies for children in need.