Oregon State Hospital provides sex toys to patients
A KGW investigation found that the state-run psychiatric facility provided 65 sexual aids to patients last year, costing taxpayers $2,900.
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon State Hospital, already under scrutiny for safety concerns and patient deaths, is facing new questions over a policy that allows the distribution of sex toys to patients.
A KGW investigation found the state-run psychiatric facility provided 65 sexual aids to patients last year, costing taxpayers $2,900. In 2023, 42 sex toys were distributed to patients.
"How does that make any sense?" asked Tiffany Edens, a rape survivor and advocate for crime victims.
Oregon State Hospital is the highest security psychiatric facility in the state. Many of its patients are involved in the criminal justice system, either because they're unfit to stand trial or found guilty except for insanity on charges ranging from low-level misdemeanors to serious felonies, including violent and sexual offenses.
"You are feeding into people's fantasies — people that have no business to have these types of toys," Edens said.
The state hospital openly promotes sexual health. "OSH permits certain items you may need for personal use, such as sexual aids," reads the Oregon State Hospital Patient Handbook.
A public records request revealed a detailed policy, including a 10-page color catalog of various sex toys available to patients with brand names like The Vortex, Throttle Stroker, Her Pocket Bullet, Double Dancer, Vibrating Helping Hand Pro, Vibrating Shower Stroker and Waterproof Prostate Massager.
The sexual aids vary in price from $14.78 to $84.99, paid for with public dollars, according to hospital spokesperson Amber Shoebridge.
"These are full-on... I'm at a loss for words," Edens said. "It's like you are going into the sex toy store. They're not appropriate for people who are in a state hospital."
In response to KGW's investigation, Shoebridge said sexual aids serve an important therapeutic purpose.
“The need for sexual expression doesn’t disappear in institutional settings,” Shoebridge wrote in a statement to KGW. “Oregon State Hospital provides access to sexual aids as a way to offer patients an ethical, and therapeutic and private form alternative for a lack of sexual expression.”
This type of policy appears to be rare among state-run psychiatric hospitals. KGW contacted hospital associations and national experts in psychiatric care — all said they were unaware of similar programs elsewhere.
"It is the sort of thing that only an enterprising service would consider," said Dr. Robin Wilson, a board-certified clinical psychologist who has worked with sexual offenders in hospitals, prisons and private practice.
"All adults probably participate in some form of sexuality," Wilson explained. "That is true for people who are in care as well. Whether it is because they have a mental illness, or they are intellectually disabled or they are on the autism spectrum — whatever it may be."
According to Shoebridge, sexual expression can reduce stress, calm the nervous system and support emotional wellbeing. Patients without appropriate sexual outlets may use unsafe objects, such as toothbrushes, crayons or shampoo bottles. Access to sexual aids, the hospital spokesperson explained, creates a safer environment for staff and other patients.
The sexual aid policy falls under the hospital's treatment services and requires a process involving occupational therapists and an interdisciplinary treatment team. Patients must complete a consent process and understand proper use and hygiene. Each sexual aid is inspected monthly for at least three months, with continued monitoring as needed.
Hospital officials say consent is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Before issuing a sexual aid, a therapist evaluates the patient's ability to understand expectations, clean and operate the device and follow rules.
The policy allows only hospital approved sexual aids, requires devices be non-porous, silicon material and sets a maximum of two sex toys per patient.
This isn't the first time Oregon State Hospital has come under fire for policies involving sexual health. In May 2024, federal inspectors revealed the state hospital was distributing condoms — despite a policy discouraging sexual contact between patients.
"I don't know why they were handing out condoms. That was news to me," Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said at the time. Shoebridge later said the condoms were meant to promote cleanliness and self-pleasure. The practice was discontinued.
It's unclear exactly when the sexual aid policy began, although anecdotally Shoebridge explained sexual aids have been distributed at the state hospital for years.
"Who came up with this brainiac idea? It makes no sense to me," Edens said. "I don't think that it’s an appropriate accommodation for a state hospital setting."
