$10 Million Budgetetd to Oregon Counties for Criminal Justice Reforms

by Mark Wilson

On August 1, 2013, the Oregon legislature passed a sentencing reform bill, designed to shift “low level” offenders from prison to community corrections. With it came a cash infusion of $10 million to counties that fulfill the state’s mission.

Benton County Commissioner Jay Dixon applauds the state grants, noting that Benton County has had a longstanding commitment to community-based supervision and treatment. “We think it’s more effective than imprisonment in a state institution,” said Dixon. “It costs a lot less.”

He is right. During the 2009-2011 biennium, it cost $84.43 a day, or $30,816.95 a year, to confine someone in prison, according to a recent audit of the Oregon Secretary of State. Meanwhile, it costs just $16.08 a day, or $5,869.20 annually, for community supervision of high-risk offenders. That represents an annual per-person savings of $24,947.75. The cost of community supervision of medium-risk offenders falls to just $11.70 a day, or $4,270.50 annually, representing an annual savings of $26,546.45. Low-risk offender community supervision costs drop even more dramatically to just $0.78 a day, or $284.70 annually, translating into an annual savings of $30,532.25.

In hopes of realizing these savings, eight of Oregon’s 36 counties claimed over six million dollars of the state grant money to expand community-based substance abuse treatment, work crews, community service, risk assessment programs and related reforms, according to a recent report of Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission.

The largest award, $3.165 million, went to Multnomah County, which operates the state’s largest jail system. The county intends to utilize the money to improve risk assessments of those facing trial, so prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges may make more accurate assessments of which offenders need prison and which do not.

The second largest award went to Marion County to expand a pilot project to divert property and drug offenders from prison, annually. The program is designed to replace prison with community-based supervision and treatment.

Jackson County intends to use $844,536 to fund 30 substance abuse treatment beds for local prisoners and those paroling to the county from prison.

Umatilla County is using $318,830 to create a day-treatment center for 30 to 50 high-risk offenders. The program will require participants to comply with a strict schedule that includes community service, job searches and curfews.

Benton County is using $179,019 to expand its prison “reach in” program. Prior to release, county officials meet with state prisoners who are paroling to Benton County to give them “realistic information” about what they face in the community, according to the county. “This program also provides indigent offenders in need of transitional housing, food, work-related clothing, haircuts, medication, transportation, and crisis intervention.” Prisoners leaving prison “need to go someplace. They need a safe environment, a controlled environment,” said Dixon.

Jefferson County is utilizing $122,524 to create a substance abuse program within its jail. This would “allow our offenders to address their addiction cycles in a much more controlled environment as opposed to when they have more freedom and choices in the community,” the county explained. Meanwhile, neighboring Crook County is utilizing $95,895 to expand its prisoner work crews and community service programs.

Finally, Tillamook County reported that it will use $36,000 of its $92,184 award to provide housing to offenders who are on probation. “Housing is a detriment to success for our clientele,” the county reported.

The Counties are well aware that they need to perform, said Dixon. The State has promised additional money in the next budget cycle if the current reforms produce results.

Source:The Oregonian