House Approves Expansion of Oregon’s Family Sentencing Alternatives Program

(Salem) — Under a bill passed unanimously by the Oregon House of Representatives today, the Family Sentencing Alternative Program, a program which works to reduce recidivism rates and decrease prison costs, will be expanded to include more eligible individuals.

The Family Sentencing Alternative Program was created with broad bipartisan support by the legislature and signed by the Governor during the 2015 session. Since it went into effect in January of 2016, 75 individuals with 139 children across five counties have participated.

The original program was open to defendants who were the parent or legal guardian of a minor child and at the time of the offense and had physical custody of that child. This unintentionally left out women who were pregnant at the time of sentencing. House Bill 3380 adds those women who might otherwise have been eligible for the program.

Rep. Jennifer Williamson (D-Portland) was the chief sponsor of the bill along with Rep. Carla Piluso (D-Gresham).

"In just a short period of time, this program has shown significant value," Rep. Williamson said. "While it is too early to report on specific outcomes from the program, the Department of Corrections reports positive changes from the participants. This is a positive step in reducing incarceration rates and recidivism."

Rep. Piluso, who spent her career in law enforcement, retiring as the chief of the Gresham Police, said that programs like the Family Sentencing Alternatives Program are vital to building strong communities and reducing our dependence on prisons.

"This program gives so many in Oregon the support they need to get their lives on the right track," Rep. Piluso said. "It only makes sense that we would want to include all eligible individuals as a way to achieve accountability while strengthening family bonds."

Additional sponsors for the bill included Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer (D-Portland), Rep. Ann Lininger (D-Lake Oswego), Rep. Karin Power (D-Milwaukie), Rep. Tawna Sanchez (DPortland) and Rep. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro).

The bill now moves to the Oregon Senate for consideration.