Oregon's 2011 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
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...
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PSJ’s 2011 Annual Report
We've published our 2011 Annual Report and we must say: Wow! We're really proud of the breadth and depth of the work we've accomplished with the help of you, our wonderful members! Please take a few...
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Smarter justice: Data on Oregon's prison system suggest better ways to use...
The Editorial Board of the Mail Tribune (serving Southern Oregon) is optimistic that, through the work of the Commission on Public Safety supported by sound data provided by the Pew Center on the...
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"Smart On Crime": A Growing Trend in OR?
PORTLAND, Ore. - One message from the Oregon election results could be that voters are shifting from a strict "tough on crime" stance to what some are calling a "smart on crime" approach....
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Judge and Corrections Offical Support Corrections Reform, Say Focus on...
The best way to make our streets safer is by strengthening the innovative and successful crime-fighting programs pioneered in local communities. Many programs that are proven to break the cycle of...
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Why are the district attorneys opposing public safety reform?
The media has devoted significant attention to the district attorneys’ (DAs’) opposition to reform efforts but done a poor job scrutinizing the DAs’ claims or questioning the underlying reasons for...
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Oregon lawmakers begin hearings on bill to scale back mandatory minimum...
PSJ Associate Director Shannon Wight is quoted in this RG article about changes to HB 3194: "We hope (lawmakers) are going to stay on track" with their proposal, she said. "It's about getting back to...
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What will be the Fate of Oregon's Criminal Justice Reform Effort?
Oregon’s proposed public safety reforms are still under discussion in Salem. If they do get to a vote, they probably will not include two of the most controversial proposals.“But if the rest of the...
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Is it possible that the War on Drugs is ending?
In PSJ's regular Street Roots column, Cassandra Villanueva examines what might be the beginning of the end of the "tough-on-crime" crusade that has done little to make our communities safer, but has...
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Oregon prison population to drop as sentencing reforms take hold
Oregon's prison population will dip by more than 500 inmates the next two years as sentencing changes and other reforms take hold, according to the state's latest forecast. The drop could spare...
View Article2014 Legislative Update
The short 2014 legislative session was a whirlwind of activity! By law the session is only 35 days long every other year. Although short, we had enough time to make some gains and see some harmful...
View ArticleJustice Reinvestment in Lane County
In 2013, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3194, a package of public safety reforms projected to save $300 million over the next five years. , Oregon’s 36 counties were asked to invest those...
View ArticleStrong Women, Strong Families, Strong Oregon
In a Street Roots article, Jennifer Williamson states, "A system built on an assumption that a one-size-fits-all approach works for everyone has clearly failed, most notably women." Clearly, there are...
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Human investment: the politics of trying to keep people out of prison
Justice reinvestment focuses on a simple idea: "Instead of spending money on more prison beds, spend the money saved by keeping people out of prison on treatment and other wrap-around services."...
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Commentary: Seattle took the LEAD; Oregon should follow
PSJ Executive Director Andy Ko writes about Seattle's LEAD Program (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) and his hopes for Oregon to adopt a similar program statewide. (Street Roots) read more
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