Safety and Sentencing News

Gov. John Kitzhaber, legislative leaders to launch effort to reform Oregon public safety system
State leaders hope reforms to Oregon's public safety system could spare the state from building new prisons to house 2,000 inmates. Gov. Kitzhaber and legislative leaders are about to try to cage state prison spending, an 800-pound public policy gorilla threatening to stomp through the state budget.
Poll Shows Support for Cuts to Prisons and Corrections Department
A new OPB poll reveals that 40% of Oregonians support cuts to prisons and the corrections department, while only 17% support cuts to K-12 education, and 26% support cuts to human services. (OPB)
Oregonian Editorializes on Racial Equity and Criminal Justice
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a coalition of groups that included Partnership for Safety and Justice unveiled a legislative racial equity report card intended to heighten awareness and spur legislative action (The Oregonian).
Coalition grades Legislature on addressing racial disparity
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a coalition of groups that included Partnership for Safety and Justice unveiled a legislative racial equity report card intended to heighten awareness and spur legislative action (Statesman Journal).
Report on race coincides with MLK Day
Released to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, "Facing Race" gives a "C" grade to the Oregon Senate and a "D" to the House. But the most revealing aspects of the report may be its discussion of how Oregon is changing. (Statesman Journal)
Oregon House, Senate get low grades in report on racial equity bills
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a coalition of seven groups representing Oregon's communities of color, is releasing the state's first-ever report card that rates how the state Legislature dealt with racial equity bills. The grades are not good. (The Oregonian)
PSJ Victory! Youth Out of Adult Prison
The Oregon Department of Corrections and Oregon Youth Authority will no longer conduct intake of juveniles convicted as adults at the adult prison, Coffee Creek. PSJ pushed for the change after hearing from our members about the practice, which was not safe or appropriate. (Oregonian)
Domestic Violence Advocate Says Public Safety System Out of Balance
More money should be spent on crime prevention and intervention, and less on locking people up. PSJ and director of Portland Women's Crisis Line agree that too much money is being spent on corrections, leaving victims services and other smart public safety solutions underfunded.
Some "Smart on Crime" Reforms that are Working
Necessitated by harsh economic times and encouraged by declines in crime rates, a number of states have made significant strides in reducing the number of people in prisons and jails and cutting spending while maintaining public safety.
Safe Kids, Safer States
There is good news coming in for youth justice advocates everywhere – juvenile justice is changing, and federal statistics show that many states across the nation are drastically reducing the number of youth being held in secure facilities.