Ballot Measures News

Dorothy's Story
This is a story about the struggles and successes of long-time PSJ member Dorothy, first with addiction and then with society’s refusal to recognize her change. In the end, with personal strength and some support from PSJ, the power of change won out!
Long mandatory sentences not the only way to deal with crime
The Klamath Falls Herald and News Editorial Board says that "Oregon needs to find alternatives (to mandatory minimum sentences) that produce public safety at a reasonable cost" and "Are more prisons and longer sentences the only answer? We hope not." We couldn't agree more.
A new approach to fighting crime
The Medford Mail Tribune editorial board says Oregon should pay attention to Texas and spend more on substance abuse and mental health treatment, beef up parole and probation supervision and spend less on prisons — a lot less.
Kitzhaber criticizes 'expensive' sentencing laws
At the first meeting of the Public Safety Commission, Gov. John Kitzhaber said Oregon leaders need to have "the wisdom and the courage" to look at changing prison practices, including reducing time behind bars for some crimes. (KATU)
Blue-Ribbon Panel To Take On Corrections Costs
Prisons are eating up more and more of Oregon's budget. A blue-ribbon panel convened by Governor John Kitzhaber will meet Friday (September 30, 2011) to look at ways to reign in corrections spending. But it's not clear whether there's consensus to do something about it. (OPB)
Oregon's Political Landscape
Start to the sentencing reform discussions. Went back over the 2009 Safety and Savings Act. The ugly and misleading political ads that ran around Measure 57.
Considerable Common Ground: Collaborating to Create Safety
Crime Victims and Survivors want to ensure that what happened to them does not happen to another. We discuss the opposition of Measure 73 and what PSJ brought forth to the legislative session in support of Alternative ways to increase public safety.
Oregon's 2011 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
In early 2011 we participated in the Legislation Sessions. We had VICTORY'S : HB 2707, ODSVS, HEAL Oregon help maintain funding for Addiction Treatment, and HB 2650: Addiction & Mental Health Workers w/Conviction histories return to work
Oregon sentencing commission begins work
A new blue-ribbon commission began last week with the tasks of restraining the growing cost of Oregon’s prison system. But former Gov. Ted Kulongoski cautioned against doing too much too soon, especially if it involves changing Oregon's mandatory-sentencing laws. (Statesman Journal)
Oregon taxpayers will spend $1.3 billion on prisons -- and it won't be enough
Oregon is spending more money than ever on the state prison system, but it won't be enough. And the state will be adding nearly 1,500 prisoners over the next four years. PSJ thinks spending more on prison cells while cutting programs that can prevent crime is the wrong approach.