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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW California woman charged with assault, DUII after crash near Ashland injures children ... Firefighting near Crater Lake closes park's north entrance ... Barbershop-style singers help local schools ... California woman charged with assault, DUII after crash near Ashland injures children ... Firefighting near Crater Lake closes park's north entrance ... Barbershop-style singers help local schools ... LEGISLATURE Oregon lawmakers, counties spar over public safety spending Budget comes up short of projected savings from 'justice reinvestment' Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 11, 2015 at 4:49 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 11, 2015 at 4:49 PM » Social News   SALEM — Short on money and faced with the prospect of building expensive new prisons, Oregon lawmakers made a politically fractious decision two years ago. They agreed to shorten sentences for some crimes and let certain low-risk inmates out a couple of months early, using the savings to beef up probation and other cheaper ways of punishing criminals. But some worry the Legislature will shortchange the local governments that are taking on a bigger burden for punishing people convicted of crimes. The Legislature's chief budget writers have proposed $20 million for the program — about a third of the money that prison officials say has been saved by slowed prison growth. "It's a signal to the counties that the Legislature isn't really serious about doing public safety differently, because they're willing to fund prisons, but they're not willing to fund local accountability," said Shannon Wright, deputy director of Partnership for Safety and Justice, an advocacy group. With prison costs ballooning, many states have adopted varying versions of a policy known as justice reinvestment. By changing sentencing laws, they hope to spend less money building and running prisons, freeing up cash to more intensively watch offenders through probation, treat them with addiction or mental health counseling or provide housing and education. Oregon joined the fray in 2013. A bill reduced sentences for certain drug and property crimes as well as driving with a suspended license and identity theft. A "transitional leave" program was extended from 30 days to 90 days, allowing low-risk inmates to leave early and be closely monitored as they integrate into society. The plan was supposed to freeze the prison population at around 14,600 inmates for five years. On April 1, Oregon had 14,634 inmates in in prison, according to the Department of Corrections data. Prison officials say the changes have saved nearly $58.5 million during the next two-year budget cycle by delaying the opening of a mothballed prison in Madras, which otherwise would've opened last year, and delaying the construction of a prison in Junction City. Before he resigned in February, former Gov. John Kitzhaber proposed spending all $58.5 million on grants to counties for justice reinvestment programs. House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Salem, said the legislative leadership is committed to the program and hopes to beef up the proposed $20 million, but "it's unlikely" the final number will be $59 million. Kitzhaber's budget "did us a disservice by putting a number out there that we didn't think we could achieve," Kotek said. Kotek did not say where additional money might come from when she spoke to the media last week, but Democrats have been hoping the next revenue forecast — due out next month — will give them extra money to spend. They've already promised to give 40 percent of any increase to K-12 schools. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 11, 2015 at 4:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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