Oklahoma Watch (https://oklahomawatch.org/category/criminaljustice/)
In advocating on state policies, Oklahoma’s 27 district attorneys operate on two fronts: the District Attorneys Council, a state agency, and the District Attorneys Association, a private group that contracts with lobbyists. Advocacy groups say the setup stacks the deck against criminal justice reforms. (Use our slider image to compare attendees at both groups’ meetings.)
Panelists at an “Oklahoma Watch-Out” forum clashed over a wide range of issues related to whether more gun rights or gun restrictions should be passed in Oklahoma. Watch the video.
Oklahoma Watch will sponsor a public forum April 23 on the issue of gun rights versus gun controls, featuring panelists from two organizations with opposing views.
The state Pardon and Parole Board on Wednesday approved the first group of inmates for a new, streamlined parole. The process, called administrative parole, could be a first measure of how much a board composed mostly of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s appointees will embrace changes intended to relieve Oklahoma’s overcrowded prisons.
Oklahoma district attorneys have more than $56 million in uncollected fees on their books and are being advised they should hire collection agencies to go after offenders to recover more of the debt. But aggressive collections could collide with criminal justice reform efforts.
Every month, hundreds of inmates who’ve served their time are released from prisons across Oklahoma. But rebuilding a life is challenging. Robin Wertz, who spent years in prison, talks about her experiences and how, as site director at Exodus House, she helps former inmates re-integrate into society. This video launches our series titled “The Invisibles.”
With no announcement, law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma are beginning to collect DNA from individuals arrested on felony charges – the first step in implementing a controversial state law passed two years ago.
Candidates running for one of Oklahoma’s 75 district judge seats have raised more than $2 million so far this election cycle. Find out how much each judge has received.
Watch a vigorous debate over State Question 794, which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to extend and reinforce the rights of crime victims. The Oklahoma Watch-Out forum featured District Attorney Brian Hermanson and Appellate Defense Attorney Katrina Conrad-Legler.
In this short video, find out what State Question 794 proposes on crime victims’ rights, including some pros and cons. This “Marsy’s Law” measure, which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution, will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Oklahomans will soon be able to use medical marijuana, but it doesn’t extend to those serving time. The drug remains prohibited for inmates in Oklahoma and other states that have partially or fully legalized it.
