CSL: State Capitol
Intern in Sen. Winters office
Practical Observations
Given Alexander’s critique of mass incarceration, to what
extent does her analysis apply to the State of Oregon?
Issue Considered
Oregon v. Alexander model
- How does Oregon Compare to what we have read in The New Jim Crow
Current Prison system
- Currently Oregon is ranked 33rd in incarceration rates
- Highest rate of violent offenders behind bars
- Fewer than 6% are doing time for drug offenses
What is Oregon doing to improve the Prison system
- Past Bills
- Governors Position
- Sen. Winters Position
Background:
State Senator Jackie Winters
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Began her public service in 1959 at OHSU
Later in 1969 recruited to be the Supervisor of the Office of Economic
Opportunity’s New Resource Program at the request of Governor Tom
McCall
In 1979 was appointed ombudsman by Governor Victor Atiyeh where she
helped create the Oregon Food Share Program
Most known for her famous Jackie’s Ribs restaurant which grew to three
restaurants and three franchises
First Elected in 1998 as State Representative to District 31
Moved to the Senate in 2002
Legislative Background
First African American legislator elected in Oregon
Committees:
- Joint Emergency Board SubCommittee on Human Services
- Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means
- Interim SubCommittee on Human Services & Public Safety
- Joint Emergency Board
- Senate Interim Committee on Conduct
- Joint Interim Committee On Special Session
- Joint Interim Committee on Interstate - 5 Bridge Replacement
My Typical Duties
Secretarial Duties
- Answering Calls
- Responding to Emails
- Scheduling Meetings
Additional Duties
- Hold meetings with lobbyists, constituents and other representatives
- Write different pieces of communication: email, speeches & meeting prep
- Track legislation from past sessions
- Create an issues list for upcoming legislative session
Past Bills
Measure 11
- Mandatory Minimums
- Murder, Assault, Rape, Robbery, Arson, Attempted Murder, Manslaughter,
Sodomy, Compelling Prostitution, Kidnapping, Sexual Penetration, Child
Pornography
HB 3194
- Changed the sentencing for marijuana charges
- Committee on Public Safety endorsed
- Gutted from original concept
Governor Kitzhaber & Sen. Winters
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Created the Commission on Public Safety
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Shift spending towards addiction services
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Wants to be proactive rather than reactive
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Believes it is in the public interest to re-integrate prisoners back into
society
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Against the Death Penalty
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“Measure 11 does not allow for judicial discretion” - Chief Justice Paul De Muniz
Oregon Population
Convicted in Oregon
Population by Prison
Measure 11
Recidivism Rates
Conclusions
1. Prison Population percentages does not match the state population
percentages
1. Oregon is doing better than other states with keeping felons out of the
incarceration cycle Alexander argued was happening
1. Even in a state that is considered a leader there is still a lot of room for
improvement (Governor, Legislators and Prosecutors)
4. Populations convicted under Mandatory Minimums compared to the
population in Oregon is disproportionate
Sources
http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20373the_hard_truth_about_oregons_prisons_they_work.html
http://www.oregon.gov/doc/RESRCH/docs/inmate_profile_201411.pdf
http://www.oregon.gov/doc/RESRCH/docs/poprep.pdf
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41000.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/05/measure_11_changes_dr
opped_fro.html
http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2013/hb3194/
http://www.oregon.gov/doc/RESRCH/docs/m11post.pdf