Funding for Prison Programs

One of the implications of skyrocketing prison growth in Oregon has been a ten-year reduction in funding for programs proven to reduce recidivism. In that time period, money has been prioritized for bricks and mortar prison construction.

The 2007-2009 proposed Governor’s Budget included the first increase in available alcohol and drug treatment beds in over 7,000 prison beds built. This is an example of what we wanted to see protected. We also needed to protect the Alternative to Incarceration Program (AIP) which has been under a dedicated attacked by district attorneys, Crime Victims United, and several conservative legislators for the past 18 months.

We succeeded in protecting AIP and the final DOC budget included a $10 million increase for programs. Although we have a long way to go before we can say that Oregon has a prison system focused on rehabilitation and prevention, it seems like we may have turned a corner and are headed in the right direction. The leadership of State Representative Chip Shields, the Chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee of Ways and Means, should be commended. He was a tireless advocate for investing in prison programs.

Thanks to all of you for your emails, phone calls, letters and your support and testimony at the statewide Ways and Means budget hearings. You were a significant factor in making this happen.