With a total agency staff of 28 and a biennial budget of approximately $7.8 million, the Board fulfills its public-safety role in a professional and exemplary manner. Guided by the values embodied in the Oregon Constitution, the Board works in partnership with other criminal justice agencies to protect the public and reduce the risk of repeat criminal behavior through incarceration and community supervision decisions based on applicable laws, victims’ interests, public safety, and recognized principles of offender behavioral change.
Major functions performed by the board and program staff include: set parole and release dates for offenders who committed felony crimes prior to November 1, 1989; determine when, or if, offenders sentenced as "dangerous offenders" or for murder or aggravated murder who are eligible for parole, should be released from prison; establish conditions of community supervision (parole and post-prison supervision) for all offenders being released from prison; issue arrest warrants for absconders and sanctioning violators of community supervision; notify victims of hearings and releases; respond to public, media and offender inquiries; respond to offender requests for administrative review; adopt administrative procedures and rules in accordance with statutory and policy changes; assess and classify those convicted of sex offenses for community notification.
Board History Summary
1905 Governor given power to parole prisoners. Courts given sentencing guidelines for bench parole.
1911 State Parole Board established with 3 members. First Parole Board appointed by the Governor.
1915 Board increased to 5 members. Office of Parole Officer created.
1917 Board was reduced to 3 members. One
member is the secretary to the Governor, the other two appointed
by the Governor.
1931 Modern Probation Act passed. State Probation Commission established.
1939 New Board of Parole and Probation created, Director of Parole and Probation position authorized.
1941 Board given powers to establish rules covering parole of all offenders confined in Oregon for 6 months or more.
1959 Board increased to 5 members and terms changed to 5 years. No more than 2 members could belong to the same political party.
1969 Board became full-time paid agency. Membership reduced to 3 and appointed by Governor to 4 year terms.
1975 Board increased to 5 members, at least 1 member must be a woman.
1981 Governor given power to appoint 1 member as chairperson and 1 as vice-chair.
1989 Board name changed to State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision. Parole abolished and sentencing guidelines enacted for felonies committed after November 1, 1989.
1991 Board membership changed to at least 3 but not more than 5 members.
2013 Sex offender risk assessment community notification levels established by Legislature. Department of Corrections directed to establish risk assessment tool.
2015 Board begins to complete sex offender risk assessments for all convicted and registered sex offenders in Oregon.
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