A state group wants to empty Oklahoma prisons of as many as half of the convicts and they have submitted an initiative petition that would force lesser sentences and help for some of those seeking earlier release. Oklahomans for Sentencing wants a statewide public vote to release thousands of prisoners in the wake of the…
State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane. detailed his plan to dramatically reduce the incarceration rate in Oklahoma and to create a new parole system. Humphrey’s interim study, Restructuring the Oklahoma Criminal Justice System, was held before the House Public Safety Committee, which he chairs. “This plan would provide increased supervision and improve outcomes for those released…
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…
Liberals think that well-intentioned programs are good even if they don’t work and unintended consequences. One of the latest causes is “criminal justice reform.” Progressives argue that Oklahoma locks up too many people (especially women), that the prison system costs too much and that it is cheaper to rehabilitate than to incarcerate. They are close…
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…
State Rep. Lewis Moore held an interim study before the House Public Health Committee on mental health and substance abuse issues among the state’s prison population. “A lot of people in our prison system are there for drug- or alcohol-related crimes or because they suffer from some sort of mental health issue that got them…