Inmate release order worries district attorneys

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HEPPNER – Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson is disturbed by a federal court ruling that will see the Oregon State Hospital discharging its so-called aid and assist cases before treatment has been completed. The discharges are to begin in October.

A judge has ruled that Oregon’s only psychiatric hospital can only treat those determined to be able to aid and assist in the criminal cases against them can only be held for a limited amount of time and then must be sent back to their communities for outpatient treatment. The ruling states that patients facing misdemeanor charges, the hospital is given 90 days, or the maximum sentence is allowed (whichever is shorter) to treat their problems. For those facing felony charges the state hospital has up to six months for treatment. Violent felons can be treated for up to a year.

Nelson said it’s wrong to release them before their treatment is complete, and that it’s not fair to the suspects’ families or victims.

“I feel it’s going to lead to more crimes taking place,” Nelson said. “The court thinking that this is the best process to remove people form treatment makes no sense to me.”

Oregon district attorneys are being allowed to appear before the court about the issue, especially since little information is available about where will they go and how will they get treatment. A brief from the DAs is due before the court by Wednesday with responses planned for Oct. 11.

Photo of Oregon State Hospital via waymarking.com