PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Multnomah County could lose 300 jail beds if serious cuts hit the Sheriff’s Office. The county is facing a more than $10 million shortfall in its general fund.
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Ahead of the new fiscal year Chair Jessica Vega Pederson asked all departments to draft a budget with 5-percent less. For MCSO, that translates to 39 corrections deputies lost and around 300 jail beds. Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrissey O’Donnell said in a statement:
“Budget cuts of this scale would have significant consequences for public safety and the stability of our criminal justice system in Multnomah County. Preserving jail capacity, staffing and programming is critical. I will continue working with the Board of Commissioners to secure the appropriate funding for the resources necessary to keep our community safe.”
Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards said she is hoping not to get that far…