Mission Statement
Our mission is to advocate for equity and equality within the state correctional justice system for all Adults in
Custody (AICs) by focusing on reforming Oregon's Mandatory Minimum Sentencing, Measure 11 (M11).
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Goals
Our goal is to raise public awareness of social issues, crime prevention, and prison reform for AICs.
Values
Justice, Equality, Fairness, and Integrity
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Our History
In June 2014, two cellmates at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) asked their loved ones to join forces to help change M11, Oregon's Mandatory Minimum Sentencing. Patty Youngblood and Barb Dickerson's loved ones were these cellmates. At a small restaurant in Portland, Barb Dickerson led a meeting to bring other people together that believed their loved ones received too much time for their crimes. There were 17 people in attendance and they decided to form a group. After many discussions, they decided to name the group - Time Does Not Fit The Crime (TDNFTC). Over the next few years, members of TDNFTC knocked on all Senator and Representative Legislator doors at the Capitol in Salem. They could not believe how any legislators knew nothing of M11. Their goal at that time was to educate every Senator and Representative.
During the first 3 years, TDNFTC held 2 rallies on the steps of the Capitol in Salem and one in Pendleton, Oregon. They held several meetings across the state and listened to testimonies, all stating time did not fit the crime. At one of the TDNFTC meetings held in Pendleton, there were over 100 in attendance. Patty and Barb were shocked at testimonies that were given of how many people were saying the Judge apologized and saying it was out of their hands. This fueled the desire to change Oregon’s M11.
TDNFTC has submitted several drafts for bill requests during the past 8 years. While none of them have passed yet, they have brought awareness of M11.
Our first request in 2015, had 5 items on it to change M11. It only made it to the draft status and Legislators suggested that we narrow the request and resubmit the following year.
Our second request was made and it received a draft but failed before getting to bill status. It was then picked up by congress to be submitted for juveniles only. Senate Bill 126 passed in 2017 allowing juveniles to be able to earn good time.
In 2019 TDNFTC submitted once again a bill request to reform M11. This time it was assigned Senate Bill 1007 and consisted of 3 items and it made it further but also failed. With countless face-to-face meetings over those 6 years with Senators and Representatives, TDNFTC found that simpler is the better action to take. One request, one step at a time.
TDNFTC felt defeated and decided to take a break for a few months. A new meeting was held in November at the Wilsonville Library. New members were introduced to TDNFTC and Barb retired. With new goals and new ideas, Patty took the reins to continue to advocate for equal rights for AICs and M11 reform. TDNFTC decided to focus on all AICs being able to earn good time.
In 2020, TDNFTC submitted our fourth request. It made it past the drafts and was assigned Senate Bill 191. This bill was asking for all AICs to be eligible to earn good time. It made it to the Senate Committee vote, then was denied by the Senate President. He felt there weren't enough votes to carry this bill. Several bills were on the floor this session and Senate Bill 819, submitted by Lewis and Clark College Law Firm, passed. It gives all AICs, excluding those with aggravated murder charges, the opportunity to have their sentencing reviewed. In addition, TDNFTC raised $1,395 in funds via GoFundMe.
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In November 2022, TDNFTC submitted our fifth request for the 2023 Regular Session. LC 1292 was introduced during the Senate Judiciary Committee's meeting on December 7 and filed as Senate Bill 320. SB 320 – Provides that person sentenced to mandatory minimum sentence under Ballot Measure 11 (1994), for crime other than murder, who has not been previously sentenced under measure is eligible for reduction in sentence for appropriate institutional behavior and participation in certain programming unless otherwise ordered by court for substantial and compelling reasons. A public hearing was scheduled for April 3 but the Judiciary Committee pulled this bill on March 31.
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It is with a heavy heart that Time Does Not Fit The Crime (TDNFTC) announces the bittersweet decision to dissolve our group, effective December 31, 2023.
Over the past 9 ½ years, TDNFTC dedicated itself to advocating for Oregon's Adults in Custody (AICs) to earn good time/sentence reduction. Though we may not have achieved this goal, we take pride in raising awareness about Oregon's Mandatory Minimum Sentencing, Measure 11, among our fellow Oregonians and legislators.
We extend our deepest gratitude to those who supported TDNFTC throughout the years and generously contributed to sustain our mission. As we bid farewell, our website and Facebook page will be closed in January 2024.
If you are already subscribed to receive our newsletter, you will receive a letter with other resources to reference.
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