Effective Sentencing Reforms

Host Karen James speaks with Mark Leymon, Ph.D., professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice-Urban & Public Affairs at Portland State University. A quantitative research methodologist and justice policy researcher, Dr. Leymon discusses his research on the effects of sentencing reforms and impacts of sentencing lengths on recidivism. He discusses his work with HB3194, legislation that established Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment program, and Ballot Measure 110 passed by Oregonians in 2020 that decriminalized certain illicit drugs. He is currently evaluating Multnomah County’s unique S.T.E.P. (Strategic Treatment and Engagement Program) specialty court which has proven successful in diverting people with certain Measure 11 charges from prison.

Dr. Leymon is concerned with the consistent and pervasive racial and ethnic disparities in imprisonment, and has studied the connection between politics, the economy, and criminal justice policy and the impacts on po of color, examining what drives policy changes and why they have disproportionately affected people of color. Ultimately, the goal of Dr. Leymon's methodological research is to produce improved tools for measuring the processes and impact of the criminal justice system, in order to better inform policymaking and recommendations for change.

https://www.pdx.edu/faculty-experts/expert/mark-leymon

mleymon@pdx.edu   (503) 725-8070

PSU Research Reports https://www.pdx.edu/criminology-criminal-justice/research-briefs-reports

Measure 11  https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Reports/2004IG_Measure_11.pdf

Measure 110  https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/amh/pages/measure110.aspx

Oregon Justice Reinvestment https://www.oregon.gov/cjc/jri/pages/default.aspx

S.T.E.P. https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/multnomah/programs-services/Documents/STEP_Participant_Handbook.pdf

Multnomah County Specialty Courts https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/multnomah/programs-services/MCJRP/MCJRP_CPAddendum3_SpecialyCourts.pdf