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February 20, 2008
OR: Bad Bills: more prison time, more prisoners, more money
Lawmakers talk minimum prison time
Alternative to ballot initiative heads to full House, Senate for votes
PETER WONG
Statesman Journal
February 20, 2008
Lawmakers moved ahead Tuesday with a less costly alternative to a more expensive ballot initiative that would set minimum prison sentences for first-time property and drug offenders.
The ballot initiative is sponsored by former state Rep. Kevin Mannix of Salem, who already has submitted about 150,000 signatures, 83,000 of which are required to qualify it for the Nov. 4 ballot.
The alternative, which the Legislature's budget panel cleared unanimously, would focus on longer prison sentences for large-quantity drug dealers and repeat property offenders. It also would require treatment for many offenders. If approved by both chambers, voters also would decide its fate Nov. 4.
It also has a hefty price, according to a report from the Legislature's budget analysts.
In the 2009-11 budget cycle, the measure would add 1,400 inmates and $62 million to Department of Corrections spending, plus $40 million in grants for treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. In 2011-13, the measure would add 1,700 inmates and $106 million, plus money for treatment grants.
According to the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, Mannix's initiative would add 4,000 to 6,000 inmates to the state system, which now tops 13,000, and require spending $256 million to $400 million more in the next two-year budget.
A second bill that advanced Tuesday night would add restrictions to a 2003 alternative incarceration program, which allows some inmates early release from prison if they complete drug treatment and community leave under the Department of Corrections.
Inmates ineligible for the program are those convicted of violent crimes under Measure 11, aggravated murder and sex crimes. Under the bill, ineligible defendants would be expanded to those convicted of criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault if there was serious physical injury, and failure of a driver to aid a seriously injured crash victim.
The price tag for House Bill 3638 is estimated at $4.1 million in 2009-11.
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080220/STATE/80
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Posted by lois at February 20, 2008 01:53 PM