jump to navigation

Study concludes changes in Measure 11 are necessary January 28, 2007

Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , add a comment

In the past decade, Oregon has had the third-fastest growing prison system in the nation, exploding from fewer than 5,500 prisoners in 1990 to more than 13,000 today.

The state Department of Corrections’ budget likewise has skyrocketed, from $377 million in the 1993-95 budget period to a proposed $1.38 billion this biennium.

These were among the eye-popping statistics that the Partnership for Safety and Justice shared at a session Saturday that attracted more than 100 people, including six state legislators.

The Portland-based partnership advocates for greater fairness and effectiveness in the state’s criminal justice system.

Heavy spending on prisons – at the expense of social services such as education and treatment programs for alcohol and drug abuse – is the legacy of Measure 11, members of the partnership told the group. The voter-approved ballot measure, which establishes mandatory sentences for certain crimes and treats youths as adults when they’re charged with those crimes, took effect in 1995.

Read the entire article here: http://www.registerguard.com/news/2007/01/28/c1.cr.prisonreform.0128.p1.php?section=cityregion

Share

Oregon Loses Reform Crusader Ben Butzien January 24, 2007

Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , add a comment

Active Measure 11 reform crusader Ben Butzien passed away from liver cancer on December 26, 2006. Mr. Butzien founded Alternate Inn, a halfway house for ex-offenders. He was also a board member of Better People, an employment and counseling program dedicated to helping former offenders find employment and avoid recidivism.

This is a huge loss to everyone working towards Measure 11 reform.

Share

Partnership for Safety and Justice Lobby Day January 23, 2007

Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , add a comment

Partnership for Safety and Justice Lobby Day will be March 8, 2007. We need you there! Please make sure the date is on your calendar.

Watch this blog for further details.

Share

Crime Survivors for Community Safety Advocacy Series

Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , add a comment

Crime Survivors for Community Safety is hosting a two-part series for survivors of crime and violence and their advocates called “Everything you ever wanted to know about Oregon’s legislative process, but were afraid to ask.” Because of last week’s snow and ice, the first event in the series was rescheduled for Tuesday, January 23. Here are the details:CSCS Community Forum on the 2007 Oregon Legislature

Effective Writing and Speaking: How to Really Reach Your Legislators

Email Terrie or call 503-335-8449 for more information or if you’re interested in participating in the series.

Share

Talk to Your Legislators

Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , add a comment

Last week, members in the Salem area were a part of a dynamic exchange with their legislators about criminal justice reform. If you are in the Eugene/Springfield area, don’t miss your chance to let your legislators know that the time to reform Oregon’s criminal justice system is now.

Eugene/Springfield – Talk to Your Legislators

Participating legislators include Senator Floyd Prozanski, Senator Bill Morrisette, Senator Vicki Walker, Representative Phil Barnhart, Representative Nancy Nathanson, and Representative Chris Edwards.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend the Eugene/Springfield Community Conversation by emailing Patty or by calling 503-335-8449. We need to know how many people are planning to attend.

Share

United States has the most prisoners in the world January 2, 2007

Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , add a comment

Last month had a story on Yahoo! News that the U.S. has the highest number of prisoners in the world due to tough laws.

A U.S. Justice Department report released on November 30 showed that a record 7 million people — or one in every 32 American adults — were behind bars, on probation or on parole at the end of last year. Of the total, 2.2 million were in prison or jail.

Read the entire astounding story here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061209/ts_nm/usa_prisoners_dc

Technorati Profile

Share