Individuals in Oklahoma serve, on average, nearly 70 percent longer for property crimes and 80 percent longer for drug crimes than the national average. 

This is mainly due to the state’s “habitual offender” statute that can double and triple sentence lengths, and often increases the maximum term to life, according to Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, who wants to address this issue by modifying convictions for second felony offenses of nonviolent offenders.

The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 287. 

The bill limits the enhancement for people who commit non-violent, non-sexual felonies with limited criminal history to a period equal to the maximum for a first offense plus an additional quarter of the maximum.

“It’s estimated, that by modifying second felony offenses, Oklahoma can reduce its projected prison population by as much as 17 percent within a decade,” said Coleman.