Comments on: To Pay For Prisons, Oregon Might Release Some Prisoners http://www.OregonMeasure11.com/to-pay-for-prisons-oregon-might-release-some-prisoners.html Fair and Appropriate Justice For All Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:08:05 +0000 hourly 1 By: Michelle See http://www.OregonMeasure11.com/to-pay-for-prisons-oregon-might-release-some-prisoners.html/comment-page-1#comment-468 Michelle See Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:13:35 +0000 http://www.OregonMeasure11.com/?p=351#comment-468 It is encouraging to witness a proactive movement that questions the need to incarcerate non-violent offenders. Perhaps exploring probation violations, in respect to high recidivism rates may also yeild cost effective solutions. Specifically, individuals (non-violent offenders) who are chemically dependant that continue to use substances. This is an area in which the legislature could take a hard look at rehabilitation. Individuals who are granted probation by the court typically do not have the financial means to seek drug and alcohol treatment. So I ask, is easier to lock them up rather than investing in human potential? Small counties such as Klamath, and Lake, do not have adequate treatment available nor viable employment options. These individuals face many barriers that does not even take into consideration the present state of the economy. Finally, I wonder how convicted individuals are expected to pay jail fees, fines, etc. when they are represented in court as indigent. Just opening the doors for early release is not an intervention; it is a solution to a budget deficiet. Addiction is a social issue and together we must consider proactive means to create a healthy community for all of our citizens. It is encouraging to witness a proactive movement that questions the need to incarcerate non-violent offenders. Perhaps exploring probation violations, in respect to high recidivism rates may also yeild cost effective solutions. Specifically, individuals (non-violent offenders) who are chemically dependant that continue to use substances. This is an area in which the legislature could take a hard look at rehabilitation. Individuals who are granted probation by the court typically do not have the financial means to seek drug and alcohol treatment. So I ask, is easier to lock them up rather than investing in human potential? Small counties such as Klamath, and Lake, do not have adequate treatment available nor viable employment options. These individuals face many barriers that does not even take into consideration the present state of the economy.

Finally, I wonder how convicted individuals are expected to pay jail fees, fines, etc. when they are represented in court as indigent. Just opening the doors for early release is not an intervention; it is a solution to a budget deficiet. Addiction is a social issue and together we must consider proactive means to create a healthy community for all of our citizens.

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