Prisons

Oregon Corrections Officers Want To Bring Personal Guns To Work

Chris Lehman — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:27:32 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – Corrections officers in Oregon say they need the option of being armed while they commute to and from work. Lawmakers are considering a measure to overturn a rule that bans corrections officers from bringing personal guns to the grounds of state prisons.

The 2009 personal gun rule applies to employees and visitors at most state buildings.

Corrections Workers Rally At Statehouse

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:39:30 +0000

The union that represents prison workers rallied on the Capitol steps in Olympia Thursday. They’re calling for safer working conditions.

Washington Correctional Officers To Protest Following Assaults

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:35:25 +0000

It’s been nearly two years since Washington corrections officer Jayme Biendl was murdered on the job. But the union that represents prison guards says safety is still a major concern. The Teamsters plan to rally Thursday at the Capitol to demand safer work conditions. They also want the right to call in an arbitrator to resolve bargaining disputes.

Blue Ribbon Panel's Recommendations Include Easing Certain Prison Sentences

Chris Lehman — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:06:54 +0000

Some of Oregon’s voter-approved criminal sentencing laws would get a second look under a series of recommendations approved Monday by a high level commission. It’s part of a package of ideas aimed at slowing the growth of Oregon’s prison population. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Oregon Governor Pushes Corrections Cost-Cutting

Chris Lehman — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 02:05:19 +0000

Gov. John Kitzhaber says Oregon can save millions of dollars a year by changing the way the state punishes non-violent criminals. The Democrat has included those savings in his next spending plan. But just how the state would save that much money is not yet clear.

Lane County Releases More Jail Inmates Early

Rachael McDonald — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:29:07 +0000

Thirty-two inmates walked out of the Lane County Jail Thursday morning without serving their full sentence. The Sheriff has closed more jail beds because of a lack of funding.

Northwest Tribes Begin To Try Reservation Crime Cases Under Tougher Laws

Anna King — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 01:37:13 +0000

A tribal court on the Umatilla Indian Reservation is one of the first to hand down a long prison term under new tougher criminal sentencing laws enacted by Congress in 2010.

Thirteen Deported Wash. Inmates Caught Back In The U.S.

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:20:02 +0000

Thirteen Washington prison inmates who opted to be deported, instead of serving out their sentences, have been re-arrested back in the United States. All but one returned from Mexico. The inmates were part of an early deportation program begun last year to reduce prison costs.

Lane County Sheriff Watches Inmates Walk Out Jail Door

Rachael McDonald — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:24:04 +0000

Nearly 100 inmates of the Lane County Jail will be released this week. Not because they've served their time, but because the county can't afford to keep them. This after commissioners cut nearly $100 million from the general fund.

Lawsuit Alleges More Abuse Of Female Inmates

Chris Lehman — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:14:38 +0000

A new lawsuit alleges sexual abuse by workers at Oregon's only prison for women. It's the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by female inmates at the institution in Wilsonville.