Oregon counties at odds over parolees

SALEM, Ore. – Chester Carlson’s parole officer has no problem with the ex-con’s residence of last resort – his Dodge van – so long as it’s parked in Polk County.

Where the convicted sex offender’s wheels come to rest in the evening has become a point of contention between officials in Polk and neighboring Marion County.

Marion County has chosen to spend tax money on transitional housing for ex-cons such as Carlson, who served time for rape and was released from prison five months ago; Polk county commissioners say criminals don’t deserve rent subsidies.

“What I hear is, ‘Well, the citizens don’t want them in Polk County,’ ” Marion County Sheriff Raul Ramirez said.

“Well, do you think Marion County citizens want Polk County sex offenders in our county? I don’t think so,” he said. “Those offenders need to be dealt with in Polk County.”

The state has stepped in to mediate and has taken the side of Marion County.

Oregon Corrections Director Max Williams reprimanded Polk County officials and gave them until July 4 to stop lodging their supervised felons in Marion County – or get permission from Marion officials to continue the practice.

If Polk County fails to find an acceptable solution by the deadline, Williams said, the state could cut off funding for the county’s community corrections programs.

Ginger Martin, assistant state corrections director, said Polk is the first county reprimanded for violating transfer rules. Likewise, she said, it’s the first county to face a funding ultimatum.

Polk commissioners say they are considering ways to encourage private efforts to provide housing for parolees. No solid plans have been formed.

“We need to be very careful about how we do this,” said Phil Walker, chairman of the Polk County Board of Commissioners. “We should do this as inexpensively and as effectively as possible. This shouldn’t be a spend the rest of your life on the dole scenario.”

State law requires people released from prison to live in the county where they are convicted, but it does not require counties to provide housing for them. Most Oregon counties, including Marion, offer some transitional housing for even the most dangerous ex-convicts.

But Polk County commissioners steadfastly have cited financial and philosophical objections. Last year, the county put up parolees on bedrolls in a parking garage rather than provide housing but stopped when neighbors complained.

“It’s always been our position that other areas of criminal justice would have to sacrifice to provide room and board to these offenders who a lot of people think shouldn’t be out on the street in the first place,” Walker said.

The stray Polk County felons have gone to the Salem mission, local halfway houses, low-rent apartments and trailer parks in Marion County.

Though only a handful of Polk felons now reside in Marion County, Ramirez said, they raise serious public safety concerns.