Oregon 2005 Legislative Round-Up: Sentencing Bills and Prison Expansion

What did the 2005 Oregon Legislature do with proposals for sentencing reform and prison expansion? Read about Senate Bill 435, 436 and 437, sensible changes that could lower Oregon's prison population and enhance public safety.

Bill #	What This Bill Proposed	Our Stand	Results
Sentencing Reform: Senate Bill 435	Would expand “Earned Time” for prisoners already eligible for it, so that they could earn 33% instead of 20% sentence reductions.	This sentencing change could take effect fairly quickly to reduce Oregon’s prison population, lessening the need for costly new prison construction.	Received a hearing, but did not make it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sentencing Reform of Measure 11: Senate Bill 436	Allow prisoners serving under Measure 11 to be eligible to earn sentence reductions (“Earned Time”) while serving their sentence.	This sentencing change would affect thousands of prisoners serving Measure 11 sentences and lessen the need for costly new prison construction.	Did not receive a hearing.
Sentencing Reform of Measure 11: Senate Bill 437	Would provide an option for a judge to take a “second look” at a youth prisoner halfway through a Measure 11 sentence.	For youth serving under Measure 11, it allows a judge to review the case and transfer prisoners to community supervision.	Did not receive a hearing.
Sale of bonds (Certificates of Participation) for Madras Prison	Would authorize sale of bonds for expansion of existing prisons and for construction of new 2,100 bed minimum/ medium security prison in Madras, Oregon.	Prison construction is the most expensive and least effective way to respond to crime. Oregon cannot afford to get deeper into debt to build more prisons.	Sale of the bonds were authorized late in the session, but no funds were authorized to operate the new prison.