Gov. Brown to consider trimming prison sentences for inmates who fought wildfires as reward for serving state ‘in time of crisis’
Updated Mar 11, 2021;
Posted Mar 11, 2021
Gov. Kate Brown visits the Marion County and Salem Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon. Abigail Dollins/The Salem Statesman Journal
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The Department of Corrections has identified 164 people who are eligible.
Jennifer Black, a department spokeswoman, said hundreds of incarcerated men and women “worked extremely hard to protect people, property and natural resources” during last year’s wildfires. She said agency leaders are reviewing the fire crew lists to see who meets “all aspects of the Governor’s criteria.”
Could Measure 11′s mandatory prison sentences disappear?
Legislation would do away with landmark law’s minimum terms and give violent offenders chance to earn early release
Updated on Feb 27, 2021;
Published on Feb 27, 2021
Inside Oregon State Penitentiary, January 22, 2020 Beth Nakamura/Staff
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A quarter-century has passed since Oregon voters said yes to a law that would profoundly reshape how the state treats its most violent offenders.
Measure 11 created a class of crimes that in the eyes of voters deserved longer prison sentences and ensured people convicted of those offenses served every day of their terms.
Today, offenders prosecuted under the landmark law make up about 47% of the 12,586 people in Oregon’s prisons, according to the state.
Gov. Kate Brown is using her executive authority to close three Oregon prisons, a decision her office said would save the state more than $44 million. The