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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2017
Governor Mary Fallin Praises Senate for Passage of Criminal Justice Measures
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today praised the Oklahoma Senate for its approval of eight bills addressing improvements in the criminal justice system.
The Oklahoma Justice Reform Task Force, which was convened by the governor last
year, recommended these reforms after studying the data and facts of the
criminal justice system in Oklahoma, and the governor asked lawmakers to
consider them in her State of the State.
“These historic votes
will improve public safety in Oklahoma, and save our state $1.9 billion,” said
Fallin. “Making smart, data-driven decisions on how to increase safety while
decreasing our overcapacity prisons is key to pursuing smaller, more efficient,
and more moral government. My thanks to Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat and
Senator Wayne Shaw for sponsoring this landmark legislation, and for taking a
huge step towards a better criminal justice system and a safer Oklahoma.”
The Senate passed:
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Senate Bill (SB) 603, which would require the
development of individualized plans for inmates to help them better reintegrate
into society.
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SB 604,
which would provide training for law enforcement officers on how to better deal
with victims of domestic violence.
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SB 609,
which would establish the framework for a training and certification process
for professional victim advocates.
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SB 649,
which would distinguish between those who have a history of committing violent
crimes from persons with a history of committing nonviolent offenses in
determining how much their sentences should be enhanced for being repeat
offenders
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SB 650,
which would reform qualifications for certain expungement categories.
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SB 689,
which would allow judges and prosecutors more options in diverting people from
prison to treatment and supervision programs. It also would decrease financial
barriers for convicted individuals seeking to re-enter society, would expand
the use of graduated sanctions and incentives that could be used in response to
inmate behavior and would expand eligibility for certain programs that are
alternatives to incarceration.
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SB 786,
which would create an additional burglary tier to distinguish by severity.
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SB 793,
which would set up an oversight council to monitor the effectiveness of criminal
justice reform efforts.
The bills
now head to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.
The Oklahoma Justice Reform Task Force included
those in law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, members of the business
community, victim advocates, mental health and addiction professionals, and
legislators.
Oklahoma has the second-highest imprisonment
rate in the country. It has the highest rate for women – a ranking the state
has held since 1991. Moreover, Oklahoma’s prison population is projected to
grow 25 percent in the next 10 years at a cost of $1.2 billion in capital
expenditures and an additional $700 million in operating costs over 10 years.
Proposed legislation will save more than 7,800 beds, averting the immediate
need for new prisons and much of these additional expenses.
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