Oregon prison costs are highest in the nation

According to a recent study by the Pew charitable trust, Oregon now spends more money out of its general fund budget incarcerating criminals than any other state in the nation.

The study, which found that 1 in 99 Americans, and 1 in 30 men between the ages of 18 and 34, are now behind bars is a timely one for Oregon given that voters will be deciding between two anti-crime measures on the November ballot.

The Mannix measure, which is expected to cost up to $400 million per biennium will compete on the ballot with SB-1087, a $120 billion legislative referral.

fueled by Measure 11, another Mannix initiative, Oregon currently spends $1.66 billion per legislative biennium incarcerating prisoners -- $174 million more than the state spends on colleges and universities.

(h/t to Ridenbaugh Press)