iSAf(JYDI Director's Message i JUSTICE=========== And frankly, I could be described as overly smarter and more cost-effective approach cynical, but history shows that Mannix has to maintaining public safety. Sentencing used and abused the ballot measure process reform will have to be on the agenda as a forhis own financialbenefit. strategy to curb corrections spending. A Measure 73 victory will not meaningfully Partnership for Safety and Justice has alter the momentum toward smarter already made significant progress building criminal justice reform. Remember that. a diverse coalition of groups to oppose Measure 73. That said, it is hard to imagine We hope you find this issue of Justice that the measure will not pass. The majority Matters substantive and educational. We of the electorate is simply working with too are exploring shifts in the presentation of little information when they vote on ballot Justice Matters and so the next several issues measures. But even if this measure passes, will include various new approaches to the I am not sure it will build much political cover and layout. Bear with us as we try momentum for Mannix and his tough-on­ new approaches on for size. We welcome crime lobby. If you haven't noticed, Oregon your feedback. is still experiencing a severe fiscal crisis, which is another thing we examine in this Thanks for your continued support. s you receive this issue of issue. Justice Matters, the election A season will be heating up. The legislature will be facinga multi-billion­ Voters will have some big dollar deficit next year and they will have decisions before them - like who will be a very difficult job figuring out how not the next Oregon governor and what kind to cut critical services. In that context, we of state legislature we want. Unfortunately, think policymakers will continue to be very David Rogers we will also see another Kevin Mannix­ interested in exploring ways to take a much Executive Director sponsored ballot measure that proposes new mandatory minimums. Measure 73 focuses on "repeat" sex offenders and drunk drivers in a ballot measure that has been described as "poll 2 tested to sucker-punch the public:• Kevin Mannix is definitely showing his level of 3 desperation with this ballot measure. After losing his last five runs as a candidate for 5 statewide officeand the defeatof Measure 61 in 2008, he is desperate fora victory. So 10 he has reached deep into his bag of tricks and combined two completely unrelated 12 sets of crimes into a package designed to tap into the public's emotional reaction to 14 "sex offenders" and drunk driving. Much of this issue is devoted to looking much deeper 17 at what Measure 73 would really do and getting to know its chief sponsor better. 20 There are a range of reasons to oppose 23 Measure 73. It doesn't offer real solutions to serious problems. It is poorly written 23 with a host of unintended consequences. JUSTICE MATTERS SUMMER 2010 2 WWW.SAFE1YANDJUSTICE.0RG Organizational Update Our Rebuilding Lives Gathering: Former A Day of Learning, Inspiration students of and Community Maclaren Youth Correctional More than 100 PSJ members gathered in Facility's Salem on April 24th to share in our statewide Universityof gathering. This year's theme was "Rebuilding Hope program Lives: Creating a Safer Oregon with Political showed offtheir Activism:' We shared a day of learning, moves with a inspiration and community. krump dancing demonstration We heard from a panel of longtime PSJ members and leadership from different perspectives who used their personal stories to show the need to make sure everyone­ survivors of crime, those convicted of You can watch crime, and the families of both-have the a video excerpt opportunities to rebuild their lives. of Jennifer's presentation We took workshops on justice reinvestment, on our website storytelling, and election plans, and we learned at: http://www. how to communicate effectivelyon our issues safetyandjustice. with friends, family and legislators. org/ spotlight/1933 PSJ proudly welcomed renowned author Jennifer Storm as our keynote speaker. Jennifer shared her powerful story of going through adolescence addicted to drugs and alcohol, surviving sexual assault and using her story to organize a movement to provide Hope. The students use krump, a form of creating change in Oregon's public safety opportunities forothers to rebuild their lives. dance, to practice creative intervention and system. To learn more about how you shape positive futures. can get involved, e-mail Erika (erika@ The day ended with a special presentation and safetyandjustice) to find out about volunteer performance by formerstudents of Maclaren Thanks to· all who volunteered and attended. opportunities and our Action Teams (see Youth Correctional Facility's University of We so look forward to an exciting year of below). PSJ Board Changes We bid a fond farewell to board member Terrie Quinteros is the Executive Director of coordinator. Cassandra recently moved back Taneisha White in June. Taneisha had been the Oregon Coaljtion Against Domestic and to Oregon and is currently an organizer foi:: on our board since May of 2004, one of our Sexual Violence. Terrie served as the Program SEIU. longest serving board members. We will miss Director for PSJ's Crime Survivors for her valuable contributions and wish her the Community Safety program (now the Crime Louise Bauschard is the Coordinator of very best. Survivors Program) from 2004 to 2008. Volunteer/Intern Services for Washington County's Center for Victims' Services and We've also added three new dynamic members Cassandra Villanueva was an organizer for Department of'Community Corrections. She to our board in June, two of whom long-time PSJ when we were Western Prison Project in has been an active PSJ member �ince 2000. I Justice Matters readers may recognize as 2004 and 2005. She moved to Washington, former staff members! We are so happy to D.C. to work for the National Council of La We feel very fortunate to have such a diverse welcome: Raza as their Latino Juvenile Justice Network and experienced board of directors! JUSTICE MAffERS SUMMER 2010 3 WWW.SAFE'IYANDJUSTICE.0RG �SAfETYml Organizational Update i JUSTICE=========== the people who are taking the lead to make Portland Action Team Oregon smart on crime. All are welcome - Monday, September 13 please join us! Monday, October 11 At Action Team meetings we learn new skills, Monday, November 8 hear from speakers, and build momentum 5:30 p.m. forchange in our communities. PSJ's Office 825 NE 20th Ave., Suite 250 Be a part of our movement by learning how to: Eugene Action Team Monday, September 20 Action Teams • Write a compelling letter to the editor Monday, October 18 • Develop a relationship with your Monday, November 15 You read Justice Matters, but are you legislator 5:30 p.m. looking fora way to get more involved with • Communicate our messages effectively Sponsors, Inc. the work we do at PSJ? Changing the way with the public and the media 338 Highway 99 North Oregon approaches public safety can only happen when we organize, learn and take In the coming months, our Action Teams Plenty of food and friendly conversation action collectively to educate and influence will take the lead on organizing against are always on the agenda. To learn more our legislators and our neighbors. Ballot Measure 73 (read more about about our Action Teams, contact Erika Measure 73 in this issue of Justice Matters) at 503-335-8449, or e-mail her at erika@ We invite you to be a part of our Action and getting out the vote for the November safetyandjustice.org. We look forward to Teams. PSJ's Action Team members are elections. Join us forour fall meetings: seeing you this fall! Make a Little Go a Long Way! strengthen your support of your choice ( until you tell us to stop) while also managing your which means no reminders from us. So, Finding that annual membership renewal budget. Monthly donors we spend less of your contribution on check a little harder to write in these tough increase PSJ's sense of security and ability postage and paper. Plus, all the benefits economic times but feel passionately to plan our future work. Monthly giving that come with being a member remain about supporting our work? Please is: yours to enjoy, including your subscription consider becoming a monthly donor! to Justice Matters. Making a contribution of just $5 or $10 Convenient - Your contribution is a month is an easy way to significantly deducted automatically from the account Powerful - By eliminating administrative expenses, more of your contribution goes to help PSJ ensure Oregon's approach to community safety is based Want to stay informed and on the principles of safety, prevention, active in our movement? accountability, healing, rehabilitation, and justice. Sign up to receive e-news from PSJ ! Enduring - Spreading your support over time is easier on your budget. Plus it gives PSJ the security of a steady, reliable stream Enter your e-rnJil on our website homepage: of support. You'll feel good knowing that you're continuing to support PSJ's critical www. safety a ndj ustice. org advocacy work. Together we can make a difference for Please call Denise at (503) 335-8449 to become a monthly donor today! Oregon's criminal justice system! JUSTICE MATTERS SUMMER 2010 4 WWW.SAFE'IYANDJUSTICE.0RG News Briefs Safety and Sentencing News Lowering Non-Violent budget computations. Keeping reading Incarceration Rate Would Save this issue for more information about Cocaine Sentencing Disparities Law Billions Oregon's budget choices and options for cutting spending that will make On March 17, 2009, the United States A new study from the Center for communities safer.