Mandatory Minimums

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 year to look at sentencing

December 3, 2011

Saying that crime is down, money is scarce and corrections policies have evolved, the Oregonian calls for the Governor's Public Safety Commission to spend 2012 crafting a new sentencing plan for Oregon.

by The Oregonian Editorial Board

Good News / Success Stories (JM-Winter 2011)

December 2, 2011

In this issue we report on success - the success of individuals, organizations and governments who have implemented reforms and changes that are smart on crime.

In this issue:

Long mandatory sentences not the only way to deal with crime

November 18, 2011

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

October 22, 2011

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.

'We have to get smart on crime'

October 20, 2011

Paul DeMuniz, Oregon's Supreme Court Chief Justice and Chair of the Governor's Commission on Public Safety, says that Oregon has "to get away from the idea of soft on crime, tough on crime...We have to get smart on crime." (Mail Tribune)

Kitzhaber criticizes 'expensive' sentencing laws

October 1, 2011

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)

Peering into prisons

September 30, 2011

The Oregonian Ed Board voices its frustration that prisons and the sentencing policies that drive their costs have been shielded from budget cuts while education, health care and other human services are forced to absorb cut after cut. It's time to serious about sentencing and corrections reform.

An Invitation to Overreach

September 30, 2011

The rise in mandatory minimum sentences has damaged the integrity of the justice system, reduced the role of judges in meting out punishment and increased the power of prosecutors beyond their proper roles. (New York Times Editorial)

Blue-Ribbon Panel To Take On Corrections Costs

September 25, 2011

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)