(University of Oregon, 2010-06) Cate, Sarah Diane, 1986-
This thesis examines the significant expansion of prisons in Oregon in the last
fifteen years. In order to explain the evolution of Oregon's prison growth, the thesis
analyzes the ways discourses and representations of crime have justified and explained
voter approval for punitive policies in Oregon. Drawing from multi-disciplinary literature
that documents the central role played by issue framing and discourse construction in
political conflicts, I use the case of the 1994 campaign in which key crime initiatives were
passed by Oregon voters. The thesis argues that policy decisions and election outcomes are
closely related to long-standing perceptions of"insiders" and "outsiders" as a way to view
societal problems. Utilizing an extensive media analysis, this thesis considers how political narratives have influenced the passage of ballot measures committed to a punitive direction in crime policy.
