Oklahoma Watch (https://oklahomawatch.org/tag/corrections-2/)
This year’s criminal justice reform measures include changing bail bonds, making State Question 780 retroactive and giving greater clarity to prosecutors on when to charge drug possession with intent to distribute. Here are five questions surrounding the bills.
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.
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.
Inmates in Oklahoma prisons must have advanced liver disease before becoming eligible for treatment that cures hepatitis C, a potentially deadly and growing disease. Since July 1, only five inmates have been given the drug treatment.
With overcrowded and deteriorating prisons and shortages of corrections officers, Oklahoma’s prison system might appear to be primed for a federal takeover. But what are the prospects it will happen?
A federal appeals court has struck down limits on what jails and prisons can charge for in-state phone calls. Oklahoma was among the states that challenged the limits.
As families and friends become one for the holidays, thousands of children remain separated from their incarcerated parents. Private groups try to connect parents and children.
Oklahoma has among the highest prisoner mortality rates and homicide rates in the nation, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Despite years of concern over Oklahoma’s high rate of female incarceration, the number of women sent to prison jumped again in the latest fiscal year. One dramatic exception: Tulsa County, which sent 24 percent fewer women to state prisons. Oklahoma County sent 33 percent more.
Interim Oklahoma Corrections Department chief Joe Allbaugh faces seemingly intractable problems in the prison system. He has ideas for changes and says he is decisive.