Oregon Parole Board secures $3.7M for hearing officer and victim notification system upgrades

A significant funding proposal aimed at enhancing Oregon's Parole Board operations was unveiled during the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety meeting on May 20, 2025. The proposal includes a one-time allocation of $100,000 from the general fund to upgrade the Parole Board's management information system, which is crucial for tracking individuals under supervision.

The board plans to share this upgraded information system with the Department of Corrections and Community Corrections to bolster community supervision efforts. Starting in the 2027-2029 biennium, the board anticipates ongoing license fees of approximately $18,000 per year, which will be phased in during the budget development process.

Another key aspect of the proposal is the appropriation of $3,726,828 in general funds for various enhancements, including the hiring of a permanent full-time Morrissey hearings officer. This funding will also support the transition from the current victim notification system, VINE, to a new system called Vyndor, simplifying the registration process for victims.

The board has seen a 22% increase in Morrissey hearings since 2020, and with Deschutes County withdrawing from its contract to conduct these hearings, the workload will revert back to the board. To address the backlog of offender notifications, the proposal includes funding for nine permanent full-time positions, which will help manage approximately 11,091 registrants.

This comprehensive funding package aims to streamline operations and improve services, with the board projecting that the backlog could be resolved within five years. The recommended budget for the 2025-2027 biennium totals nearly $18 million in general funds, alongside other funding sources, to support 38 positions within the board.