| Press Release |
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| November 21, 2007 |
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"Safety, Justice and Hope," Values Guide Governor's New Re-Entry Council
Council will further work on inmates' reintegration into Oregon communities
Salem - Governor Kulongoski delivered remarks today at the first meeting of the Governor’s Re-entry Council. The Council - recently created by the Governor via Executive Order – is charged with focusing attention on inmates as they are released from custody in order to reduce Oregon ’s recidivism rate and prevent new crimes. In Oregon , one in three released inmates re-offend and are sent back to prison within three years of release, which a rate that is lower than many other states, but Governor Kulongoski wants to do better.
“I want Oregon to be on the cutting edge of identifying solutions that reduce recidivism and at the same time make our communities safer by turning past offenders into future productive – and law abiding – citizens,” said Kulongoski.
Kulongoski said his motivation for creating the council was based on three principles that guide public safety policy: safety, justice and hope.
“We must provide for the safety of citizens while ensuring that justice is delivered through a fair and efficient system,” said Kulongoski. “And we must also make sure that we provide hope to those who are trying to turn their lives around and become law-abiding and productive member of our communities.”
The purpose of the Council is to remove barriers that keep inmates from safely and successfully transitioning back into society after they have completed their term of incarceration. Released inmates often struggle with obtaining valid identification; job training and employment; help reacquiring health care; drug and alcohol treatment; and, affordable housing.
“By making sure that re-entering offenders have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we will be reduce the number of new victims in our state and strengthen our communities,” said Kulongoski.
The Council includes the directors of state agencies that play a part in preparing offenders for life outside the institution – including the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority, the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision, the Department of Human Services, the Employment Department, Oregon Housing and Community Services, the Veteran’s Department, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.
Other partners that contribute to the success of offenders after their prison sentences are completed are represented on the Council as well, such as community corrections, non-profit service providers, judges, district attorneys, public defenders, and law enforcement.
Of the 13,500 offenders currently in the Department of Corrections’ custody, 97 percent of those inmates will eventually be released back into Oregon communities. Approximately 450 prisoners who have completed their prison sentences are released from Department of Corrections’ custody every month. Of those, one out of every three is convicted of a new felony crime within three years of release. This recidivism rate is worsened by obstacles that newly released offenders encounter obtaining housing, employment and other basic services in their communities. Eliminating these obstacles will reduce the number of individuals who re-offend, diminishing further victimization, and providing offenders a better opportunity to lead productive lives.
Governor’s Re-entry Council Members:
Max Williams
Director of the Department of Corrections
Mark Royal
Community Corrections Umatilla/Morrow County
Todd Anderson
TillamookCountySheriff
Laurie Warner
Director of the Employment Department
Tom McClellan
Department of Motor Vehicles
Jim Willis
Director of Veterans’ Affairs
Steve Atchison
Columbia County District Attorney
Michael McShane
MultnomahCountyCircuit Court Judge
Ross Shepard
OregonCriminal Defense Lawyers Association
Senator Vicki Walker – D-Eugene
Representative Kevin Cameron – R-Salem
Ron Chase
Executive Director of Sponsors
Steven Powers
Chair of the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision
Bob Jester
Director of the Oregon Youth Authority
Victor Merced
Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services
Camille Preus
Dept. of Community Colleges, Workforce Development
Jerry Moore
Salem Chief of Police
Bruce Goldberg
Director of the Department of Human Services
Contact:
Patty Wentz, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
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