http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1055678201230580.xml
Portland has ceased close supervision of nearly half the felons living in its neighborhoods because Oregon’s budget crisis has drained money from parole and probation.
Each month, the offenders, including a murderer and scores of property and drug criminals, fill out and mail in a one-page form swearing they are being good. That’s it. No home visits, urinating in a cup or turning in paycheck stubs– not even a check-in over the phone, says the Oregonian.
As tax revenue crashed last year, lawmakers left the prison budget alone and instead slashed money from the rest of the public safety system. One of the deepest cuts was $10 million — or 20 percent — from the money the state sends to counties to handle felons on parole, probation and serving time in local jails.
Link: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1055678201230580.xml