Think Out Loud

Oregon bill would compensate those wrongly incarcerated

By Allison Frost (OPB)
March 5, 2021 2:04 p.m. Updated: March 5, 2021 11:01 p.m.

Broadcast: Friday, March 5

The Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem is the oldest prison in Oregon and the only maximum security institution currently operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections.

The Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem is the oldest prison in Oregon and the only maximum security institution currently operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra / OPB

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Oregon is one of 15 states without a formal way to compensate people who have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated for crimes. Sen. Kim Thatcher (R- Kaizer) is sponsoring a bill that would provide a special fund for people who have been incarcerated and later exonerated. Steven Wax with the Oregon Innocence Project testified in favor of the bill this week. He said the state must have a fund to help those who have served time for crimes they did not commit. Sen. Thatcher joins us to discuss the proposal.

Note: This post has been updated to clarify the fund is for those who have served time and not merely convicted.

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