Vera Research Shapes Policy in Portland, Oregon

A 2008 Vera study recommended that the Department of Community Justice (DCJ) in Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon, change the way it sanctions people on probation and parole. Finding that a jail stay alone does not lead to better outcomes for county residents who violate the conditions of supervision, Vera researchers suggested that DCJ explore shortened jail stays for violators and expand the use of other sanctions, such as day reporting and community service. Now, officials are using on-line video to let stakeholders and residents know that the strategy is working: Multnomah County is using 80 fewer jail beds each day—a significant cost savings—and rearrest rates have declined by 2 percent.