A18
News
wallowa.com
October 28, 2015
Wallowa County Chieftain
Prison expansion will cost $9.5M Agency’s
open house
Money to
grow facility
would come
from Justice
Reinvestment
Fund
shows plan
for future
Safe Harbors
takes on a larger
role, seeks
financial support
By Paris Achen
Capital Bureau
State lawmakers say they
may have to take more than
$9 million from a state fund
designed to keep offenders
out of prison to pay for ex-
panding prison space.
A 2013 law intended to
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prison population has been
less successful than antici-
pated. The state is projected
to have 150 more prisoners
in March than previously
forecast, according to the
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sis.
The Department of Cor-
rections plans to accommo-
date the extra prisoners by
opening a vacant medium-se-
curity facility at Deer Creek
Correctional Institution in
Madras, said Colette Peters,
department director. Execut-
ing the plan by March would
cost about $9.5 million, she
said. The department plans
had called for opening that
By Steve Tool
Wallowa County Chieftain
With a new director and
some staff changes, Safe
Harbors, the Wallowa Coun-
ty agency dedicated to pro-
viding intervention and ad-
vocacy services to victims of
sexual assault and domestic
Courtesy Oregon Department of Corrections
abuse, is taking on a greater
The Deer Creek Correctional Institution in Madras. DOC wants to renovate the facility to accommodate an increase in inmate role in the community.
population. The $9.5 million needed to expand and staff the facility would come from a program designed to keep parolees out of
Safe Harbors hosted an
prison.
open house Oct. 19 to show
the community and some of
community partners some
facility in 2019.
MY CONCERN IS THAT WOULD END JUSTICE REIN- its
of the agency’s plans for the
House Majority Leader
“Our open house was
Rep. Jennifer Williamson,
VESTMENT IN OREGON. IT WAS A HARD-WON BATTLE. future.
great,” Safe Harbors Direc-
D-Portland, said the only op-
Heidi Moawad, public safety policy adviser to Gov. Kate Brown tor Amy Stubblefield said.
tion for covering that cost is
“A lot of our community
to siphon the money from the
partners came in to see us
Justice Reinvestment Fund.
The Justice Reinvestment The bill also restructured the county’s grant would shrink of that money to establish a and the new office area and
Fund was created in House state’s sentencing guidelines proportionally or whether program to connect offend- meet the new staff. We had
Bill 3194 in 2013 to give re- WR WU\ WR HEE WKH ÀRZ RI RI- the balance of grant money ers with treatment centers some community members
sources to counties to set up fenders into the prison sys- would be awarded according before they are released from come out including one who
support services for offend- tem.
to merit.
jail. The shorter the time be- is interested in being on our
ers on probation and parole.
“What we hear from judg-
“My concern is that tween jail and treatment the board, and some who want
es and prosecutors is there would end justice reinvest- more likely it is that offend- to volunteer.”
Financial support always
are folks they send to prison ment in Oregon,” said Heidi ers will complete diversion
because there are no supervi- Moawad, Gov. Kate Brown’s programs and avoid recidi- is a primary concern for Safe
Harbors. “One of the issues
sion resources locally,” said public safety policy adviser. vism, Primer said.
Mike Schmidt, executive di- “It was a hard-won battle …
The fear is that the coun- we’ve been running into is
rector of the Criminal Justice to get our $40 million fund ties will start new programs there’s no non-specific funds
Commission. “This justice this biennium.”
this year and then lose fund- that we can provide for --
reinvestment is building the
Since funding started last ing in 2016 because the state things like getting a victim
infrastructure so we can keep year, some jurisdictions, needs to expand Deer Ridge, a new birth certificate, So-
offenders out of prison and such as Multnomah Coun- Primer said. That kind of un- cial Security card, driver’s
actually give them a shot.”
ty, have already reduced the FHUWDLQW\ PDNHV LW GLI¿FXOW license – those vital docu-
November 5th
The Criminal Justice number of prison intakes. for counties to plan because ments they need and some-
Commission doled out $15 The counties need more they craft their budgets far in times have to flee without,”
Stubblefield said.
million from the fund in time to see how the pro- advance, he said.
Even providing some ne-
2013-2014. About $40 mil- grams affect recidivism, said
Brown strongly sup-
Dinner at 6 P.M. in Enterprise School Cafeteria
lion was earmarked for the Multnomah County Deputy ports continuing the fund, cessities for protecting a vic-
Includes 2 free bingo cards. $1 for bingo cards thereafter.
fund for 2015-2016. The District Attorney Caroline Moawad said. The governor tim, such as travel expenses
Turkey calling contest and bingo at 6:30 P.M. • Dessert auction
$9.5 million expansion at Wong.
plans to meet with county or safe housing for extended
Deer Ridge would come out
Multnomah
County’s RI¿FLDOVIURPDPWRQRRQ periods, is beyond the finan-
of the $40 million amount.
grant funds pay for offend- Nov. 10 to discuss ways to cial capability of Safe Har-
It’s unclear whether each er housing, drug treatment, immediately reduce the pris- bors.
“Our max time we can
employment development, on population and stave off
mentorship, parenting class- the need for the expansion. offer at the shelter is about
HV SUREDWLRQ RI¿FHUV DQG The meeting is scheduled 30 days, although we’ve
other services for offenders at the Department of Public been able to extend it a few
in the community.
Safety Standards in Training times,” Stubblefield said.
Dale Primmer, Umatil- Hall of Fame, 4190 Aums- “Sometimes victims can
save enough for first and
la County community cor- ville Highway in Salem.
rections director, said he is
The Deer Ridge expan- last (month’s rent), but not
concerned the program may sion plan entails moving the enough for a deposit, so it’s
be gutted before it has had a existing 787 minimum-secu- heartbreaking to tell a vic-
chance to show results.
rity prisoners from the min- tim that we’ve hit the end of
Umatilla County applied imum-security building to what we can do to help be-
for a $914,251 justice rein- the vacant medium-security cause the barrier is financial
vestment grant for this year. facility. The medium-securi- and our funds are limited.”
Still, the Safe Harbors
The county plans to use some ty building has 200 addition-
al beds to accommodate the staff tries to help victims
statewide spike in prisoners seek other resources. “We
projected for March, Peters always try to encourage vic-
tims to be empowered and
said.
Moving the prisoners and seek out other organizations
repairing and furnishing the and other programs that have
medium-security
facility money for those programs,”
would cost about $2.5 mil- Stubblefield said. “If they
lion. Hiring people to serve (the victim) haven’t done
the additional prisoners their work, I don’t want the
would cost about $7 million, discouragement to come
Peters wrote in a letter to the from, ‘So, great. I left, and
Oregon Public Safety Task now what?’”
The agency’s most recent
Force.
The Department of Cor- funding push is the creation
rections director said the of a “100 Club.”
“We’re looking for 100
new sentencing guidelines
and Justice Reinvestment individuals who are will-
Fund have been working to ing to donate $100, and that
slow growth in the prison would give us a $10,000 pool
population, just not as much of money to use specifically
Look to a U.S. Bank Home Equity Line of Credit for your next
for those types of needs,”
as anticipated.
major project. You’ll be greeted with competitive rates, flexible
She said she is still hope- Stubblefield said. She added
payment options and people who genuinely care.
ful that counties may be able that the organization already
to work together to stave off received some donations via
the projected growth of 150 word of mouth, but expects
HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT
prisoners in time to avoid ex- to start a full-fledged cam-
paign soon. “The giving sea-
panding Deer Ridge.
Introductory Rate for 5 months
Variable rate after
son really happens around
Rates as low as
Introductory period
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looking at avenues for tax
deductions,”
Stubblefield
This week’s athlete of the week
said. “And because we’re
hales from the ranks of Enterprise
APR*
APR*
a 501C, donations are fully
Grade school in the person of
deductible.”
Rate available 9/12/15 – 11/20/15.
Actual rates may vary.
Tyler Knapp, 8. He plays on the
Rates are subject to change.
Visit your local branch or usbank.com.
Stubblefield said local
Raiders soccer team and recently
business Sugar Time Bakery
scored six consecutive goals in
is donating 50 percent of the
one match. The young Knapp
proceeds of its purple items,
generally averages four goals
per game.
which signify the impor-
At the moment, Knapp is
tance of Domestic Violence
usbank.com/dreambig | 800.209.BANK (2265)
enjoying his time in third grade
Awareness Month, to Safe
where his favorite subject is
Harbors.
*1.50% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available on Home Equity Lines of Credit with an 80% loan-to-value (LTV) or
Rocket Math. Some of Knapp’s
less. The Introductory Interest Rate will be fixed at 1.50% during the five-month Introductory Period. A higher introductory rate will
The agency is conducting
apply for an LTV above 80%. Offer is available for new applications submitted from September 12, 2015–November 20, 2015. After
hobbies include his magnetic
a
class
for Safe Harbors vol-
the five-month introductory period: the APR is variable and is based upon an index plus a margin. The APR will vary with Prime Rate
building set and walking his
(the index) as published in the Wall Street Journal. As of September 11, 2015, the variable rate for Home Equity Lines of Credit ranged
unteers from 5-7 p.m. Nov.
from 2.99% APR to 8.25% APR. Higher rates may apply due to an increase in the Prime Rate, for a credit limit below $125,000, an
dog, Cooper. As for athletic hobbies, Knapp enjoys
LTV at or above 80%, a low credit score and/or not having a U.S. Bank personal Package Checking account. A U.S. Bank personal
10, 17 and 24.
any sport that has a ball. He is the son of Mark and
package checking account is required to receive the lowest rate, but is not required for loan approval. The rate will not vary above
“We’re asking for an
18% APR, or applicable state law, or below 1.50% APR. Choosing an interest-only repayment may cause your monthly payment to
Rebecca Knapp.
increase, possibly substantially, once your credit line transitions into the repayment period. Repayment options may vary based on
RSVP by the 5th of Novem-
credit qualifications. Interest only repayment may be unavailable. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines.
Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without
Proudly Sponsored By:
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notice. Property insurance is required. U.S. Bank and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Your tax and financial
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will provide light food and
Eastern Oregon’s Full Service Propane Supplier
Other restrictions may apply. Mortgage and Home Equity products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit
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541-426-0320
U.S. Bank Package Checking accounts. Member FDIC ©2015 U.S. Bank. All rights reserved. 150859 9/15
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