Dollars and Sentencing

Many readers likely know that the paths of federal and state sentencing reforms have diverged in part because of economics. Even though the federal corrections system is the biggest in the country, state expenditures on corrections consume a much bigger portion of states’ overall budgets. Thus, as highlighted by this terrific report entitled “Changing Fortunes or Changing Attitudes?: Sentencing and Corrections Reforms in 2003” produced earlier this year by the folks at the Vera Institute’s State Sentencing and Corrections Program, states struggling with the “third straight year of severe economic crisis” took a series of “steps to lessen sentences and otherwise modify sentencing and corrections policy during the 2003 legislative sessions.”

This recent article discussing a planned review of state sentencing laws and practices in Oregon highlights that, when it comes to sentencing reform, the almighty dollar might still be more powerful than the almighty Blakely. Though Oregon state sentencing laws apparently have big Blakely problems (details here), the article reveals that the public debate over Oregon sentencing reforms is about sentencing costs not sentencing procedures. Here’s hoping that, on the playing field of sentencing, Oregon can get its ducks in a row.