Alternatives to Incarceration

Gov. John Kitzhaber, legislative leaders to launch effort to reform Oregon public safety system

February 7, 2012
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.

Gov. Jerry Brown calls for historic shuttering of state's notorious youth prison system

January 10, 2012
If the California Legislature approves the plan Gov. Jerry Brown released Thursday as part of his budget blueprint, California's once-sprawling youth prison system may soon shut its gates for good, becoming the first state to entirely eliminate its prisons for youthful offenders.

Domestic Violence Advocate Says Public Safety System Out of Balance

December 8, 2011
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

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

Safe Kids, Safer States

December 7, 2011
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.

Article by Naivasha Dean 

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:

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.

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)

Oregon's 2011 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

September 19, 2011
In early 2011 we participated in the Legislation Sessions. We had VICTORY'S : HB 2707, ODSVS, HEAL Oregon help maintain funding for Addiction Treatment, and HB 2650: Addiction & Mental Health Workers w/Conviction histories return to work

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