Correctional Practices

Some "Smart on Crime" Reforms that are Working

December 7, 2011
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.

Article by Denise Welch

A Country of Inmates

November 29, 2011
Although the United States indisputably leads in the world in incarceration, with almost one in every 100 Americans behind bars, the issue hasn't been on the agenda of the impending national election (The New York Times).

DOC ethics inquiry advances

September 23, 2011
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is moving forward with a full investigation into whether a former state prison administrator violated the law by going to work for a company he helped choose for a multi-million-dollar state contract. (Statesman Journal)

DOC ethics inquiry advances

Indefinite solitary confinement persists in California prisons

September 23, 2011
Long abandoned by many states, the practice is a last resort for California authorities struggling to thwart gang activity and extract information from the most hardened members. Critics say it amounts to torture. (LA Times)

Indefinite solitary confinement persists in California prisons

PSJ's Youth Justice Report - Misguided Measures

September 19, 2011
Giving a voice to those youth who are sent to adult jails or prisons to await trial or carry out there sentences when they are not adults. Misguided Measures represents the impact that Measure 11 has on Oregon's Youth.

Cruel Isolation: A California prison protest spotlighted widespread use of torturous solitary confinement.

August 25, 2011
Americans should be disgusted and outraged that prolonged solitary confinement, sometimes for months or even years, has become a routine form of prison management. It is inflicting unnecessary, indecent and inhumane suffering on tens of thousands of prisoners. (NYT)

Cruel Isolation: A California prison protest spotlighted widespread use of torturous so

Finding Direction: Expanding Criminal Justice Options by Considering Policies of Other Nations

June 7, 2011
This 2011 Report compares and contrasts the criminal justice policies and social, economic, and governmental structures of five countries – Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Finland and Germany – to the United States (Justice Policy Institute)

Finding Direction: Expanding Criminal Justice Options by Considering Policies of Other Nations

Study hails Oregon's recidivism reduction even as funding cuts threaten it

April 14, 2011
While Oregon's prison programs face $16 million in cuts, a recent PEW study reports that Oregon leads the nation with the lowest recidivism rate. "These potential cuts would very severely move our corrections system in the wrong direction," says Executive Director David Rogers (Statesman Journal).

Study Hails Orego

Youth Unshackled

January 26, 2011
In November 2010, Chelan County (Wenatchee, Washington) ended the practice of indiscriminately shackling youth in their courts.

Youth Unshackled

In November 2010, Chelan County (Wenatchee, Washington) ended the practice of indiscriminately shackling youth in their courts.

Early release at prisons saved state $25 million in 2009

January 4, 2011
According to a new audit released by the Oregon Secretary of State, Oregon's earned-time early release program for state prisoners saved an estimated $25 million in 2009. (Statesman Journal)

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