Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, May 19, 1999, Page 21, Image 21

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ODbae vv^er
May 19,1999
Page 5
II
civic
auditorium
And Dumb
M easure 11. J u v e n ile crim e d e­
Groups and family and friends of
of the facts of the case or
creased some 12 percent from 1995
those prosecuted under Measure 11
the crim inal history of the
to 1996. But crimes had already de­
guidelines have sprung up around the
offender.
clined a rem arkable 24 percent in
state. Their concern is the unfair and
It is tim e we change
1995 from 1994. Proponents of Mea­
unjust results which occur in an un­
o u r id e a s a b o u t w h at
sure 11 can hardly take credit for
acceptably large portion of the cases
works and does not work.
these national numbers.
involving crimes which carry m anda­
We cannot prevent death
Further, the length of mandatory
tory minimum sentences are being
by building more hospi­
m inim um sentences being imposed
handed down for conduct as com­
tals. Being smart on crime
and the lack of a chance for reduc­
monplace as a school yard fist fight
does not mean being soft
tion of tim e served in retu rn for
or shoplifting. A more balanced ap­
on crime.
good behavior has led to the need
proach is needed.
M ich ael K elley is a
S alem
r e s id e n t
W hile not nearly as effective as
These new prisons are being forced
has so m e tim es b een su g g e sted ,
works as a paralegal for
on com m unities around the state at
O regon’s m andatory m inim um sen­
a crim inal defense attor­
a projected cost of over $1 billion.
tencing laws have undoubtedly pre­
ney in the Portland area.
This am ount does not include m ain­
vented a few crimes. Be that as it
T his article has been re
tenance and operations of the new
may, the law is still bad public policy
p r in te d by p erm issio n
prisons. Money spent on prisons
in that it requires the same m ini­
fro m Oregon’s Future .
would be better spent on schools
m um sentence for everyone con­
Oregon’s Future is a partici-
victed of the same crim e, regardless
p a to ry
p u b lic
a ffa irs
magazine. For m ore on
grams. T his is a trade-off we might
the publication, call 503/
tolerate if it were not for the fact
731-9938 o r e m a il at
that a large num ber of these ware­
future@ aracnet.com .
housed individuals could be bet­
all FASTIXX outlets
PCPA box office
or by phone
224-8499
L a ?
ter served by participating
Sign language interpreted
A Step Above
Shoe’s
w ho
to b u ild num erous new prisons.
and other badly underfunded pro­
Saturday,
May 22
8:00 PM
H als, Shirts <6 Accessories
Finally, a fine shoe store for that
special person who wants to look.
A S te p A b o v e t b e r e s t .
A Step Above is conveniently located at
5130 NE MLK Blvd. (between Alberta & Killings worth)
(503) 281-7161 • Fax (503) 281 8535
We carry a wide variety o f nam e brands such as Stacy Adams. Giorgio Jrutini.) Renee
and Pazzo just to name a few We feature the best in Exotics & Fabncs from Gators.
Croc, Lizards, snakes, ect. And all the colors you ve been looking for
O U P O N
•C O U P O N J
any
purchase of
$75 or more
$10°°0FF
in one of the proven alter­
native program s already
Offer expires 5/30/99
in place in the state.
1
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For Reservations Call 1-800-4-MOIEL-6
ALicemee of Motel 6 Operating LF.
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