Safety and Sentencing

Imaginary fiends - Crime in America keeps going down. Why does the public refuse to believe it?

February 16, 2010
The crime rate has dropped, yet most Americans believe it has risen. Why is there a difference between public perception and the facts? (Boston Globe)
By Joe Keohane | February 14, 2010

February Session: Legislative Update

February 15, 2010
Earned Time amendments in Senate Bill 1007, passed the House with 37 votes in favor and 23 opposed. The bill now awaits the Governor's signature.

Senate Bill 1007 was drafted to make changes to the earned time provision of the 2009 Safety and Savings Act (H

TODAY at PSU, 3:30!! Forum on Containing Crime and Prison Costs

February 15, 2010
Jake Horowitz from the Pew Center will be at PSU on Tuesday, February 16th (3:30pm) to talk about what other states are doing to improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars.

Second annual Criminal Justice Forum, "Containing Crime and Prison Costs: A Look at Innovative Solutions"

February 16, 2010 Starts: 3:30pm Ends: 5:00pm

Tuesday, February 1

Absurdities of the Oregon criminal justice system

February 12, 2010
Ryan Scott, a criminal defense attorney, makes the case that sometimes Oregon's sentencing laws make absolutely no sense. "The bottom line is this: We should not decide criminal justice issues out of faith that the system is always fair or that only the worst go to prison." (The Oregonian)

By Guest Columnist
February 12, 2010, 8:00AM

Director of Dept. of Community Justice: Earned Time is Smart Policy

February 10, 2010
Watch Scott Taylor, Director of the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week in support of earned time, saying it's smart policy that provides incentives and reduces recidivism.

According to Scott Taylor, director of the Multnomah County Department of COmmunity Justice, earned time helps connect prisoners with the broader community and eases transitions.

Senate moves to suspend early release program

February 10, 2010
After months of criticism of the state’s cost-saving early release of prisoners, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that will end until mid-2011 the expansion of “earned time” sentence reductions to 30 percent from 20 percent.

Senate moves to suspend early release program

By David Steves

Oregon lawmakers consider changes to early release of inmates law

February 4, 2010
Oregon legislators are considering changes to a law passed last session that allows some offenders to get out of prison early.
By Susan Goldsmith, The Oregonian

Sen Prozanski calls out Harcleroad on radio ads

February 4, 2010
In an unprecedented move, Senator Prozanksi asked Doug Harcleroad (from Mannix’s Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance) to account for dangerous and misleading radio ads.
(Click on the play button above to listen to the audio)

In an unprecedented move, Senator Prozanksi asked Doug Harcleroad (from Mannix’s Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance) to account for dan

Early release hearings begin | State lawmakers are considering a scaled-back version of the law, but Sen. Prozanski won’t rule out a full repeal

February 3, 2010
Hearings opened Tuesday on a proposal to fix what Sen. Floyd Prozanski called SB 1007's “unintended consequences,” but he did not rule out more far-reaching changes, including outright repeal of last year’s “earned time” expansion.

Earned time: Law reducing prison costs requires rewrite, not repeal

February 2, 2010
"A law that boosts earned time for inmates is seriously flawed, but tough choices loom and Oregon must keep looking for prison savings." (Oregonian Editorial)
By The Oregonian Editorial Board
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