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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2018
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
JIM VAN NOSTRAND
Editor
Founded in 1873
JEREMY FELDMAN
Circulation Manager
DEBRA BLOOM
Business Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
CARL EARL
Systems Manager
GUEST COLUMNS
Vote ‘yes’ for
Vote ‘no’ on
county jail bond new county jail
T
E
here is never a good time to fund a new jail. Over the past 12 years as a Clatsop
yes they have but they do not see; ears they have but they do not hear. (Jeremiah 5:21)
County Circuit Court judge, I have observed the many ways our jail no longer
Twice in past years a bond issue for a new jail has been presented to the good
serves the needs of our community.
people of Clatsop County. It was soundly defeated. Now the sheriff and the district
I pose the question: “A new jail? What’s in it for me?”
attorney have managed to convince the Board of Commissioners to bring a jail bond before
Research shows that immediate and short jail interventions are successful in con-
the citizens once again.
forming and redirecting criminal behavior. The use of short jail sanctions as part of a
Not satisfied with a proposal to convert the former Oregon Youth Authority property to a
consequence for noncompliance is an essential tool used by Clatsop County’s specialty
new, modest jail costing $14 million, they opted for a high-end model to the tune of $24 mil-
lion. Of this amount $20 million would come from the bond measure to be
court (treatment, mental health court and drug court) programs. Specialty
considered by the voters on Nov. 6. The remainder will be financed from
courts provide an opportunity for high-risk and high-need offenders
that part of the general fund designated for capital improvements, (referred
to remain productive and engaged in community-based treatment,
to by some as the “slush fund”).
while public safety is provided for with enhanced supervision and
The newer, larger facility will require higher maintenance costs. The
accountability.
county leadership has already provided for this by raising the lodging tax.
We have observed that “jail avoidance” can be a real incentive and
This increase, coupled with the recent additional tax imposed by Astoria,
a marker of achievement. We regularly celebrate with a participant the
CINDEE
GEORGE
means tourists will be burdened with a tax of 12 percent. Elected officials
days they do not spend in jail. Without adequate and reliable jail space,
MATYAS
McCARTIN
of Astoria and Clatsop County seem to have forgotten that old adage,
we cannot always count on this intervention.
“don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Clatsop County boasts one of the highest rates of drug and alcohol
When considering whether to vote for Measure 4-195, a voter must ask if we should
abuse and related deaths in the state. Drug and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand with
continue to build correctional facilities to
criminal behavior. For defendants with
warehouse criminals of every sort from
addictions, the implementation of a short
shoplifters to murderers. Many people
jail sentence — and the confidence that
would affirm that this is necessary; some
the time will be actually served — is an
would go so far as to recommend lifetime
essential and often life-saving part of our
incarceration for those who break the law.
public safety response to criminal behav-
ior spurned by addiction.
Such people believe they would then be
The time spent in jail with needed
safe and secure with respect to both their
medical support allows a person to
property and their person.
“clear” and have more control over the
The United States constitutes 5 percent
grip of their addiction — making them
of the world’s population and 25 percent
more amenable and physically able to
of the world’s prison population. States
make better sobriety choices and avoid
and the federal government are bereft of
criminal activity. The occasion spent in
implementing alternatives to incarceration.
jail is often valuable by giving the court,
Local governments, however, have no
jail staff, probation and treatment provid-
need to follow suit.
ers time to connect the person with local
The key argument for building a
resources and programs.
new jail is the fact that the present jail is
Each weekday at 1:15 p.m. the court
overcrowded. Before spending millions of
conducts in-custody arraignments where
taxpayer and tourist dollars for a facility,
defendants are advised of the charges and
perhaps reducing the jail population
their rights. Each day, release decisions
should be considered.
are made and the available jail space —
About 65 to 75 percent of inmates
or lack of available space — is a primary
confined in a county jail are awaiting trial.
factor. Each and every day, the system
The great majority of these accused will
engages in a juggling act to keep people
never have a trial. So why are they taking
in jail who pose a danger to the public,
up jail space for six months to a year or
who do not follow release conditions,
more? Because it is in their interest to
who do not show up to the court and
do so, even if they are innocent. It is not
who are not compliant with probation
surprising that after an inmate has spent
Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian
conditions. However, every day people
considerable amount of time in jail, she/
Officials hope to convert the former Oregon Youth Authority facility in Warrenton into a
are released — not because they are a
he is ready to cop a deal. The other players
low risk for these issues, but because the new county jail.
— judge, prosecutor and defense attorney
jail is too crowded.
— are more than willing to have them do
You may have heard the phrase “truth
so. Because lawyers are always hesitant to
in sentencing.” It refers to the process where prosecutors and defense attorneys negotiate
put the fate of their clients in the hands of a jury, they do whatever is necessary to have the
in good faith to resolve cases with certain terms, expectations and goals. Jail sanctions,
accused meet and plead.
or the threat of a jail sanction, are typically part of any negotiation. Victims rely upon the
No one involved in this broken justice system hesitates to have a client waive the right to
courts and the system to bring justice.
a speedy trial, as provided by the U.S and Oregon constitutions and by state statute. In my
Whether jail is used “up front” or whether it is held in abeyance and used as a sanction
law practice I was often appointed by the court to represent criminal defendants. Thus, I can
for noncompliance, victims rely upon the court to uphold a defendant’s accountability.
understand that sometimes the defense or prosecution needs more time to prepare for trial.
When a court sanctions a defendant to jail and then we see the person out soon after due
But the speedy trial provisions should not be routinely cast aside. Under the leadership of the
to overcrowding, the entire system fails. Victims feel re-victimized and justice loses its
judges, criminal defendants could be brought to trial much quicker than they are now. This
meaning.
would alleviate jail overcrowding to a large extent.
When offenders chronically fail to appear for court, are picked up on failure-to-appear
It has also been argued that a new jail is needed to provide space for the mentally ill.
warrants and then are released from jail due to crowding, efficiency and case resolution
Those of us who suffer from a mental illness shudder at the thought of ever being confined
fall behind. The courts continue to schedule hearings and if the person does not appear,
to jail. A person who has a serious physical illness goes to a hospital for treatment. In most
a warrant is issued and the scheduled court time and the attorney time are wasted. When
communities the hospital is where people with severe mental illness go. Locally, both
law enforcement finds the person, serves the warrant and takes the person to jail, another
Lutheran and Catholic hospitals, founded on the Gospel, turn their back on mentally ill
court date is scheduled and the case gears up again.
people.
If the person is released due to crowding and does not show up again … the cycle
Twenty-five percent of the Clatsop County correctional population is on prescribed med-
ication for the treatment of mental disorders; 50 to 60 percent are in jail for criminal offenses
continues, burdening law enforcement and court resources. Our ability to keep offenders
stemming from their dependence on illegal drugs or alcohol. The criminal charges against
in jail who chronically fail to appear time and time again would dramatically improve our
them are secondary to the real problem. Building a larger jail only fosters the error in treating
ability to resolve cases. When cases move forward without these disruptions, they can be
the symptoms of this pathology rather than the cause.
settled or trials can occur sooner rather than later. Bringing cases to a speedy conclusion
Passage of Measure 4-195 will have widespread negative financial impact on the good
helps the offender move forward too.
people of Clatsop County. The supporting document in the voters pamphlet claims the bond
The current conditions of our jail are inhumane for both inmates and jail staff. The
will only result in an estimated $42 increase in property tax for an owner of a $230,000
space is cramped, dark and crowded. A surprising number of inmates have medical issues
home. On the contrary, the median price of homes currently listed in Clatsop County is
such MRSA or even tuberculosis. Holding them in our cramped facility without adequate
$385,000 — a property tax increase of $81. For persons at the high end of the economic
ventilation endangers other inmates, as well as those who visit and staff the jail.
scale, $81 is spare change. For seniors on a limited income, however, or working families
In addition, there are very few placement options in the jail for those who pose a risk
living from hand to mouth just to pay their mortgage, any tax increase will adversely impact
to public safety but have special needs or who may be suffering from a mental health
their budgets.
crisis. The current jail is not a place any of us would want their friend or family member
It is well-settled that a vast number of service workers employed in jobs that do not pay
to work or to be lodged.
a living wage are unable to find affordable housing in the area where they work. Passage
Clatsop County, and the jail that served it 30 years ago, is changing. The jail no longer
of Measure 4-195 will raise rents even more. Whether a single-family house or a multimil-
serves the needs of our community. There is never a good time to fund a new jail, but it is
lion-dollar apartment complex, rest assured the landlady or landlord will pass along the tax
an essential part of our justice system, providing critical public safety benefits for all of us.
increase to the tenants. Once again the number of working homeless will increase.
I invite you to explore this issue further. If you have questions or want to take a look
There are many more positive alternatives in lieu of building a new jail. Clatsop County
at our jail, please contact the sheriff or the jail commander. If you want to get a glimpse
voters have said “no” to a jail bond twice before. Hopefully voters will see the wisdom to
of how the court system must address the release of offenders due to jail crowding,
say “no,” once again.
please stop by the courthouse any weekday at 1:15 p.m. and observe the in-custody
George McCartin of Astoria is a retired attorney who has run for both City Council and
arraignments.
county commissioner.
Cindee S. Matyas is a Clatsop County Circuit Court judge.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vote Swedenborg for
Cannon Beach council
am writing in support of Greg
Swedenborg, who is running for City
Council in Cannon Beach. Greg has stated
interesting, positive and creative ideas for
many of the issues that our community faces.
I think his presence on the council will be a
breath of fresh air, and if you are in doubt,
please read his statement in the voter’s pam-
phlet that is available for the upcoming
election.
His intelligent assessment of
“manage the future, respect the past”
reflects his deeper understanding of the Can-
non Beach he grew up in, and is now rais-
ing how own children. Please vote for Greg
Swedenborg.
LINDA SWEENEY
Cannon Beach
I
Vote ‘yes’ on Measure 102
assing Measure 102 could help the coast
in the future. At first glance, it might seem
like Measure 102 doesn’t apply to those of us
living and voting in Clatsop County. After all,
we don’t have a housing bond on the ballot.
But the purpose of Measure 102 is to give
cities as many tools as possible to maximize
their funds and help as many people as pos-
sible, and Measure 102 could definitely help
us here on the coast in the future, as the need
for more affordable housing tops the agenda
at nearly every public meeting and candidate
forum.
Currently, Oregon law does not allow local
governments to use bond funds in partnership
with private groups or nonprofits. Instead, local
municipalities are required to work in a silo to
create affordable housing. They’re cut off from
the resources and expertise available at local
nonprofits.
P
Making this small change to the Oregon
Constitution will empower local choice across
the state to more effectively combat housing
instability and get our neighbors into perma-
nent and stable housing.
The housing crisis is something we will
have to contend with for years, or decades, to
come. We need to utilize as many resources as
we possibly can. Voting yes on Measure 102
will give folks throughout the state the oppor-
tunity to not only build more housing than they
would otherwise be able to, but it will enable
us to follow suit when we decide to build more
affordable housing in Clatsop County.
KATE ALLEN
Astoria
Embrace change for our future
fter looking at the proposed redesign for
a new hotel, I am troubled that we seem
A
to deny change which would result in jobs and
tourism increases. I looked at the Holiday Inn
Express this morning, and could not believe
that it, and the addition, were approved while
this new property, which mimics the Cannery
Pier Hotel, was denied.
Does the Design Review Committee think
closed-up store fronts on Commercial Street
will lead to an increase in tourism, and there-
fore, jobs? This seems to be at best shortsight-
edness, or worst case, the good old boy club
out in full force.
It appears now the developer may leave
the entire project. Not the way to deal with a
changing economy, in my view. We should
move on from fishing and timber, while still
providing good jobs and an economic contri-
bution to the area, and embrace change for our
future.
BOB JENSSEN
Astoria