As of November 1, sex offenders residing with a minor child must now report to the statewide centralized Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) hotline. Previously, only the parent, stepparent or grandparent of a minor had to report to the hotline. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, authored the bill at the request of DHS to better…
What will happen now that Oklahoma has released more than 500 convicts with the largest one-day commutation in U.S. history? Time will tell. The best outcome would be for these criminals to embrace their newfound freedom, clean up their lives and become productive citizens. Christian organizations, some employers and some of their families stand ready…
Democrats want more out Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board set a new national record by commuting 527 state inmates in a single day and allowing their release. The board considered 814 inmates’ cases during the special meeting which was held the first day HB 1269 took effect. The 2019 law…
OKLAHOMA CITY — A criminal justice program initiated by voters is bringing more opportunity for hundreds of non-violent Oklahoma inmates to become productive citizens. In preparation for the release of more than 700 current inmates in November, the governor’s office and several state agencies, volunteer organizations, and community partners, are working together to provide resources…
Governor Kevin Stitt announced a new executive order to address the crises of contraband cellphones in state prisons across Oklahoma. Executive Order (EO) 2019-41 directs the Secretary of Public Safety, the Secretary of Digital Transformation and Administration and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) to research and implement technology solutions in order to eliminate the…
County sheriffs throughout Oklahoma have received support with the passage of Senate Bill 244 this past session. The measure, by Senate principal author Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair, and House principal author Rep. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, ends a practice that often resulted in county jails having to pay for the cost of housing inmates awaiting transport to…
Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Tulsa, has appointed former Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ Chief of Operations Scott Crow as interim director of the state’s second-largest agency. Crow has been with the agency since April 1996, when he was hired as a Special Investigator Supervisor. Before ODOC, he worked in law enforcement in southwest Oklahoma, from officer-level up…
Governor Kevin Stitt announced today five appointments to the State Board of Corrections – including former Tulsa First Lady Kathy LaFortune. “I am pleased to welcome five new members to the State Board of Corrections,” said Stitt. “They will each bring a diverse perspective to the Department of Corrections in order to implement needed change…
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections wants $1,570,000,000.00 for the next fiscal year including $844,000,000.00 to add 5,200 beds, $91,700,000.00 for inmate hepatitis C treatment, $31,900.000.00 for facility repairs, maintenance and other needs, and $18,500,000.00 million for staff pay raises. Last week, the Oklahoma Board of Corrections unanimously approved, according to board chairman State Rep. Bobby…