HB 3064B County reduction of prisoners

STAND WITH 1994 VOTERS PASSING MEASURE 11 AND OBJECT TO FORCING COUNTIES TO REDUCE PRISONERS

This bill modifies requirements for counties receiving Justice Reinvestment Act grants to specifically assess the extent to which each county is reducing utilization of imprisonment and adopt rules specifying how the utilization reduction is measured.

Personal Choice and Responsibility
Reducing imprisonment, which would decrease holding people accountable for their actions, will lead to early release, recidivism and higher crime.

Fiscal Responsibility
Requires Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) to decline to grant the full grant amount requested, withhold approved funds, or terminate the grant award if the CJC finds that a county has not reduced use of imprisonment. The CJC will contract with the University of Oregon to assist with the report to the Legislature and the Governor on increasing equity in the Justice Reinvestment Grant Program. The expected cost for this contract is $110,000 General Fund. CJC will absorb any additional charges.

Limited Government
Lower violent crime rates is the result of stronger sentencing voted in Measure 11 in 1994. The CJC allocates state and federal resources statewide for comprehensive criminal justice planning and policy development. The CJC maintains responsibility for distributing, monitoring, and reporting of annual formula for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. Additionally, the CJC serves as the primary coordinating body for the acceptance, planning, and distribution of federal criminal justice funds leveraged to address the needs of the state criminal justice system.