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

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

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.

Contact “Think Out Loud®”

If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter, send an email to thinkoutloud@opb.org, or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983. The call-in phone number during the noon hour is 888-665-5865.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: