Measure 73 Creates More Mandatory Minimum Sentences August 3, 2010
Posted by FairSentencing in : Current News , trackbackHere’s a message from our friends at the Partnership For Safety and Justice:
We learned today from the Secretary of State’s Office that Kevin Mannix’s latest measure, on which we will be voting on November 2, has been assigned to be ballot measure number 73.
Measure 73 creates mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenses and driving while under the influence. Like other Mannix initiatives, M73 creates a one-size-fits-all response to very serious and complicated problems and does nothing to support community-based programs that provide life-saving programs to survivors or prevent the crimes listed in the measure.
Oregon can’t afford another Mannix measure. State agencies are making 9% cuts to their programs and services. That means even more people will be turned away from shelters and fewer people will get treatment for their addictions. Right now, we need to shore up these services that support survivors and help people live without–and drive without–drugs and alcohol.
Mannix’s newest measure could draw even more youth into the prison system. We are researching loopholes that could inappropriately force juveniles to serve long adult sentences.
We’ll keep you up-to-date on ballot measure 73 and how you can get involved in opposing Mannix’s latest mandatory measure.
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I would love to help get the word out on Measure 73 and do some volunteer work to educate the public.
Please, no more mandatory sentenceing. Dont these people learn from mistakes. It is unfair and unjust to lump everyone together. Crimes should be judged one by one to be fair. Mr Mannix just dont get it.
I’m so sick of Mannix and his “sex offender” scare tactics. How many of these registered supposed offenders were sentenced because they were dating their peers in High School after their 18th birthday. I can name 5 that I know personally. This state has gone insane because of Mannix and his tactics. I hope the public is waking up.
I am so tired of these Mannix laws too. Everyone should have the right to a FAIR sentencing.
I have not read the measure’s actual language, so it would be premature for me to cast a vote in either support or opposition. I will say that I am deeply concerned anytime mandatory sentencing is prospect for adoption; sexual offense/sex crimes, in particular, is an especially sensitive topic, and requires careful investigation.
Measure 11 proved ineffectual… a costly mistake–costly in terms of both financial drain to the state, and to the treatment of those convicted and incarcerated. And did it make Oregon “safer”? Let’s not make the same mistake with 73. Tougher sentencing is not a deterrent. Our focus should be prevention and treatment, and supportive reintroduction into society.
Getting “tough” on sex crimes/sex offenders is by now a tired political gimmick. It’s unfortunate that emotional, knee-jerk response still drives ineffectual, and often absurd legislation. Longer incarceration may be necessary for the worst of the worst, but we must carefully examine each individual case and avoid a lump sum mentality that does nothing but to destroy families and inject fear and paranoia into our daily lives.
Sex Offenders? I don’t even know what it means anymore. Sexting? Dating in high school? Oregon doesn’t have specific sexting laws and we have one of the highest ages of consent in the nation. Yeah, locking these types of convicts up for an extra 25 to 50 years ought to make us all feel safer.
Hi all! Erika from Partnership for Safety and Justice here. If you’re interested in learning more about Measure 73, head on over to our meeting on Monday night: September 13 @ 5:30 here at our office. Details on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/safetyandjustice
Lisa: you’re right, we do need to educate the public. We’ve updated our website to include lots of info on Measure 73: http://www.safetyandjustice.org/campaigns/ballot-measures/measure-73
Feel free to get in touch with questions: erika@safetyandjustice.org