ODOC to purchase Lawton Correctional Facility, last privately operated prison

ODOC to purchase Lawton Correctional Facility, take over operations July 25

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 5th) – The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has officially entered an agreement to purchase the Lawton Correctional Facility from The GEO Group. ODOC will assume operational control on July 25, a major milestone in strengthening the agency’s transformative presence.

This transition brings the State of Oklahoma one step closer to a fully unified corrections system, as Lawton Correctional Facility is the last remaining privately operated prison used by the state. Once the purchase is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Corrections and finalized, ODOC will assume full responsibility for facility operations, staffing and programming.

Gov. Stitt taps Tipton to spearhead operation to work with Trump admin on expelling illegals from Oklahoma prisons

Governor Stitt Taps Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton to Spearhead Operation Guardian

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 15, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced Oklahoma Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton will lead the charge to expel those serving time in Oklahoma correctional facilities who are in the country illegally.

“The Oklahoma taxpayer should not be left holding the bill for President Biden’s open border policies,” said Governor Stitt. “As law and order returns to the White House, Oklahoma will lead the charge with a comprehensive plan to deport those who have committed crimes in Oklahoma while in the country illegally.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections announces major progress in reducing inmate violence

Oklahoma Department of Corrections announces major progress in reducing inmate violence

(October 25th) Today, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections announced a significant reduction in inmate-on-inmate assaults with serious injury, reflecting the success of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security. Key reforms, including strategic population management, stricter enforcement policies, and enhanced technology, have significantly decreased the incidence of violence.

Inmates at JHCC repurpose lumber into rocking motorcycles for children’s charities

Warden David Rogers looks at the motorcycle donated to the Scottish Rite for Children.

Inmates at Joseph Harp Correctional Center craft rocking motorcycles for children’s charities using leftover lumber

LEXINGTON, Okla. (Sept. 13th) – There is a little-known group of 40 men at Joseph Harp Correctional Center who refer to themselves as The Oklahoma Lifers Association. The OLA was formed by a group of incarcerated men who understand they will likely never be released from prison but despite their situation, they have found a renewed sense of purpose during their incarceration.

These men work at one of Oklahoma’s largest furniture factories, located inside JHCC. They build thousands of tables, chairs and cabinets every year. Instead of wasting the leftover lumber, some of the men decided to repurpose it into toy rocking motorcycles to be donated to children’s charities. 

New Oklahoma license plate design released

LT. GOVERNOR PINNELL AND SERVICE OKLAHOMA ANNOUNCE NEW LICENSE PLATE DESIGN

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 1st) — Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and Service Oklahoma today unveiled the new standard issue license plate design, called the Iconic Oklahoma Plate. The new plate will be in circulation beginning September 1, 2024.

“It’s great to finally unveil the Iconic Oklahoma Plate design, which honors and highlights our truly iconic state,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “Using color and intentional symbology, this design pays tribute to Oklahoma’s culture and history, nodding to iconic landmarks, our original flag, state animals, and more. This design celebrates much of what makes Oklahoma unique, and I am excited to see it out on the road.”

State House interim study examines restructuring criminal justice system

Humphrey Examines Restructuring Criminal Justice System

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today held an interim study to detail his ideas on restructuring the state's entire criminal justice system.

IS23-025 was heard by the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, which Humphrey chairs.

"We believe the criminal justice system in Oklahoma is broken and that what we are doing as legislators is simply putting Band-aids on the system," Humphrey said. "This isn't going to work. We need a new system, one that actually changes criminal behavior and reduces our prison population while keeping our people safe."

Tablet program helps incarcerated fathers stay connected to their families

For decades, America has experienced a crisis of fathers. Absentee fathers, disconnected fathers, incarcerated fathers. Nothing contributes more to criminal life than a child with no good male leadership in their life. Maybe this program will do something to help inmates get their priorities and life right (but nothing would help like believing in Jesus Christ for salvation).

Tablet Program Helps Incarcerated Fathers Stay Connected to Their Families

On Father’s Day or any day, increased paternal connection benefits inmates, children, and public safety.

UNION CITY, Okla. (June 16th) – Navigating holidays is an emotional journey for Robert Rivard.

“Holidays are tough,” inmate Rivard said. “I miss my family so desperately.”

Among the 1.2 million people in federal and state prison, 92% are fathers. This Father’s Day, Oklahoma’s incarcerated are getting reconnected.

One year ago, Securus Technologies and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) began distributing free digital tablets to 22,000 inmates. The tablets represent a critical update to communications and technology.

OCPA leaders announce support for State Question 805

Conservative leaders support SQ 805

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 6, 2020) -- Jonathan Small, President of Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs; Trent England, David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, and Ryan Haynie, Criminal Justice Reform Fellow for Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today in support of State Question 805: 

One of America’s most popular conservative pundits is known for his catchphrase, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” While people may feel differently about the policy of SQ 805, here are the facts.

Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. We have the highest incarceration rate for women. Yet Oklahoma crime rates are not so extreme--neither in the very worst nor the very best among the states.

Oklahoma puts people in prison for much longer sentences than the national average. This includes sentences that are 70% longer for property crimes and 79% longer for drug crimes. Sentencing enhancements, which SQ 805 will curtail for nonviolent offenders, increase sentence lengths by 36% based on a study conducted by OCPA.

Rep. Sean Roberts: 90% of COVID-positive Oklahoma inmates are Asymptomatic

Rep. Sean Roberts Shares That 90% of COVID-19 Positive Inmates Are Asymptomatic

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, today released the following statement regarding COVID-19 within the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections:

“Our state has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, which is fueled by a high number of positive tests in our prison systems.

According to the latest data my office has received from the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections, 720 inmates are positive for COVID-19 after obtaining nasopharyngeal swab tests. Of those inmates, 89.6% are asymptomatic. Only 75 inmates, which makes up 10.4% of those who tested positive for COVID-19, in our state’s entire prison system, are experiencing any symptoms.

Bill Allowing Videoconferencing in District Court Becomes Law

Bill Allowing Videoconferencing in District Court Becomes Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 21, 2020) – Courtrooms across the state will now be allowed to use videoconferencing in district court proceedings after being signed by the Governor.

House Bill 3756, authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, authorizes the use of videoconferencing technology in all stages of civil or criminal proceedings except in jury trials or trials before judges.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has really highlighted the flexibility and usefulness offered by videoconferencing,” Miller said. “The utilization of videoconferencing in district courts has the potential to save our criminal justice system both time and money, as well as maintaining public safety. I’m thankful Governor Stitt signed this legislation that will maximize efficiencies and bring our District Court technologies into the 21st century.”

Legislature passes $2/hr pay raise for Dep't of Corrections employees

Corrections Pay Raises Sent to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that will increase pay by $2 an hour for Department of Corrections’ (DOC) employees passed the House on Tuesday with a vote of 99-0.

Senate Bill 1424, by State Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, previously passed the Senate 46-0 and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.

“We gave many of our state correctional officers a pay increase of two dollars an hour last year,” Ford said, “but some Department of Corrections employees did not receive the raise. This bill corrects that inequity and gives these employees a raise equivalent to the one received by their peers.”

SB 1424 provides a $2 per hour increase over the current hourly wage, or an equivalent amount for those employees not receiving an hourly wage, for each employee of the Department of Corrections with a job description and location outlined in the measure. The increase will apply to personnel employed by DOC on the last working day of June 1, 2020.

House Committee passes bill requiring issuance of valid state IDs to inmates upon release

Committee Advances Bill Requiring DOC, DPS to Issue Valid State IDs for Inmates Upon Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Public Safety Committee advanced legislation Thursday to require the Dept. of Corrections and Dept. of Public Safety to coordinate to issue valid state identification to inmates upon their release.

House Bill 1310 by Rep. Marilyn Stark (R-Bethany) would create the “Inmate ID Act of 2020.” The act would require the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections to coordinate with the Dept. of Public Safety to provide REAL ID Noncompliant Identification Cards to all offenders who don’t have a state-issued ID prior to their release.

“The Legislature has taken important steps to aid criminal justice reform, but the changes implemented over the last few years won’t be as effective without focusing on our recidivism rate as well,” Stark said. “A lack of state ID contributes to the struggles our state’s former inmates face upon release. One of the biggest hindrances when a person is released is employment, and they need a state ID to find a job. Without a state ID, they can’t even visit a food bank.”

The Dept. of Corrections would identify inmates expected to leave custody within the next nine months and begin the process of gathering the documentation required to issue a REAL ID Noncompliant Identification Card. The ID cards would be valid for four years from the month of issuance; however, IDs issued to an inmate aged 65 or older would be valid indefinitely from the month of issuance.

The bill also stipulates that if no other form of identification is available, DPS must allow the use of a DOC-issued consolidated record card to serve as a valid identification to obtain a REAL ID Noncompliant Identification Card. Any ID issued through this process would be valid for two years from the month of issuance and would be nonrenewable.

“Inmates can easily lose track of their personal belongings while they’re imprisoned, and sometimes they need a little time after release to track down their birth certificates and other government-issued forms of identification,” Stark said. “However, the state has already identified each person in the system, so a two-year ID would go a long way toward helping an inmate after their release until they can find their original identification documents.”

Under HB1310, if an inmate needing a state-issued ID has been convicted of any offense required to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act, their ID will be valid for one year from the month of issuance and must be renewed annually during the time they are on the Sex Offender Registry.

Although HB1310 was filed in 2019, Stark held an interim study over state IDs for inmates upon their release in November to learn more about the topic before filing language this session.

HB1310 passed the House Public Safety Committee 13-0. It is now available to be considered on the House floor.

Rep. Marilyn Stark, a Republican, serves District 100 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Bethany, Oklahoma City and Warr Acres.

State to resume execution by lethal injection after obtaining new, reliable supply

State Officials Announce Plans to Resume Execution by Lethal Injection

Updated protocol includes recommendations by 2016 multicounty grand jury

OKLAHOMA CITY – State officials including Gov. Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Mike Hunter and Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Scott Crow announced today that the state has found a reliable supply of drugs to resume executions by lethal injection.

The state will use an updated version of the previous protocol that includes recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand jury. The three drugs that will continue to be used are: midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride.

Additionally, officials with the Attorney General’s Office have complied with the notice provisions of the joint stipulations, thus enabling the state to request execution dates for inmates who have exhausted their appeals after 150 days.

“It is important that the state is implementing our death penalty law with a procedure that is humane and swift for those convicted of the most heinous of crimes,” Gov. Stitt said. “Director Crow and Attorney General Mike Hunter have worked diligently and thoroughly to create a path forward to resume the death penalty in Oklahoma, and the time has come to deliver accountability and justice to the victims who have suffered unthinkable loss and pain.”

Although the state previously announced the move to nitrogen hypoxia as the preferred method of execution, the 2015 law allowing the state to develop a method for nitrogen hypoxia specifically states death sentences shall be carried out by nitrogen hypoxia only if the drugs for lethal injections are unavailable.

“My commitment to Oklahomans who remain tormented by the loss of their loved ones has been that we would go any route necessary to resume executions as expeditiously as possible within the rule of law,” Attorney General Hunter said. “They have endured enough through the decades of waiting on the lengthy appeals process and the state’s attempts to get the protocol right. I appreciate Director Crow and his team for their tireless search to acquire the drugs from a reliable source. Because of these efforts, we can finally tell the victims their wait for justice is nearly over.” 

The updated protocol includes several of the recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand jury, including a verification of execution drugs at every step in the process, more training for the execution teams, among others.

Also, consistent with the multicounty grand jury recommendations, the DOC continues to work on a protocol that will allow the state to proceed by execution through nitrogen hypoxia when appropriate.

“Under this enhanced protocol, Oklahoma Department of Corrections stands ready to resume executions recommended by a jury of peers, sentenced by an impartial judge, and mandated by law,” Director Crow said. “I thank Governor Stitt and Attorney General Hunter for their leadership, which helped create this improved process. Additionally, I am deeply grateful for the patience of victims’ families and loved ones as we worked to ensure Oklahoma’s executions resume and are carried out in a meticulous manner.”

To read the updated protocol, click here. 

First Year: Stitt signs 774 commutations, 290 pardons, 101 paroles

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNS 774 COMMUTATIONS, 290 PARDONS, 101 PAROLES IN FIRST YEAR

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 14, 2020)— On the one-year anniversary of Governor Kevin Stitt’s inauguration, Gov. Stitt announced today he signed 62 commutations, 93 pardons and 23 paroles, bringing the total signed during his first year to 774 commutations, 290 pardons and 101 paroles.

“This has been a historic year for criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Gov. Stitt. “Under new leadership in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and at the Pardon and Parole Board, the Board’s favorable recommendations increased by 225% over last year. I applaud everyone’s hard work and thorough management of a significant increase in casework without needing additional funds. The most impactful changes come when the right leaders are in place in state agencies, operating with a shared vision. My administration remains committed to pursuing bold changes in criminal justice reform over the next few years, to include reforming the criminal code and changing the culture in state prisons to help people return as productive members of society.”

On November 1, 2019, Gov. Stitt signed the largest single-day commutation in U.S. history, commuting the sentence of 523 non-violent, low-level offenders that were recommended by the Pardon and Parole Board under the HB 1269 docket.

This historic commutation docket was the result of months-long collaboration between the Governor’s Office, the Department of Corrections, the Pardon and Parole Board, non-profit volunteers and other state agencies. On November 4, 2019, Gov. Stitt and First Lady Sarah Stitt greeted the 55 women at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility that were released through the HB 1269 docket.

With the leadership of the Governor’s Office, Pardon and Parole Board, and dozens of nonprofits, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections also held its first-ever transition fairs for inmates at 28 facilities across the state. More than 200 people from 45 community partners, nonprofits and state agencies attended the fairs to help provide inmates with the support and resources needed in order to successfully reintegrate into society. These fairs connected 781 inmates with information and tools to help them prepare to leave the criminal justice system and return to their families and friends.

Additional criminal justice reform highlights from Gov. Stitt’s first year in office include:

• Invested in drug courts and diversion programs in the FY 20 budget. 
• Reformed in the FY 20 budget how District Attorney Offices are funded so they are not reliant on high fines, fees and court costs.
• Called for and signed into law HB 1373, implementing licensing reform to help remove a major barrier for former offenders to access work opportunities.
• Called for and signed HB 1269, approving an expedited commutation process to release offenders currently incarcerated on low level drug possession crimes or any other felony that would now be considered a misdemeanor due to changes in law.
• Provided correctional officers with a $2 per hour pay increase.
• Issued EO 2019-41 to address the crises of contraband cellphones in state prisons across Oklahoma.

Gov. Stitt appoints Scott Crow as new director of ODOC

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS CROW AS DIRECTOR OF OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Dec. 6, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Scott Crow as the next agency director for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC), a position that will require Senate confirmation in the 2020 legislative session.

“While interim director, Scott Crow stepped forward as a visionary and strong leader for the Department of Corrections,” Stitt said. “Crow successfully led the agency to accomplish major initiatives, such as the inaugural re-entry fairs ahead of the HB 1269 commutation release. Crow is strengthening morale among employees and setting goals to modernize operations, and he is the right person to receive the appointment to be the next director of ODOC.” 

“It is an honor to serve Governor Stitt, the people of Oklahoma and staff of this great agency,” Crow said. “This is a post I accept with humility, a sense of duty, no illusions of the work that lies ahead - and an eye toward what works in corrections. I look forward to continue assisting the governor as we manage and improve this critical agency, and help make Oklahoma a Top Ten state – and ODOC a Top Ten state correctional agency.”

Since June 2019, Crow has served as ODOC Interim Director. 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 to leadership, including as a captain with the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department and Assistant Police Chief for the City of Cache.

As director, Crow will continue to lead the agency’s more than 4,300 employees working in its 24 facilities stretched across Oklahoma, as well as Probation and Parole Services and Community Corrections.

As of Thursday morning, the system was home to 25,168 inmates, with another 31,915 under community supervision and 548 in county jails awaiting housing in prison.

Rep. Humphrey holds study to explore restructure of criminal justice system

Humphrey Studies Solution to Criminal Justice Reform

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) today 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 from our corrections’ facilities,” Humphrey said. “It would save the state millions of dollars that could be reinvested into state employees and state facilities. The second phase of this plan would radically change community corrections with a system modeled after the successful system Texas has put in place.”

Under this plan, inmates serving time for non-violent offenses or who do not have sex offenses would be released with a GPS monitor for which the offender would pay. Monitoring would be contracted through a private company, which would share data between law enforcement agencies and the courts. If the offender were to reoffend, they immediately would be remanded back to prison, but the hope is the savings experienced would be invested to help the offender get needed drug rehabilitation or mental health help, as well as education and skills they might need to join the workforce. The plan also would cap all court costs, fines and fees at $130 per sentence.

Humphrey said the new system would free prison beds for truly violent offenders and would provide millions of dollars to help those released as an effect of State Question 780, which was passed by voters in 2016 and reclassified simple drug possession and property crimes valued at less than $1,000 as misdemeanors instead of felonies. House Bill 1269, which took effect Nov. 1, made the changes retroactive to those previously sentenced. On Monday, more than 450 prisoners were released as a result of the legislation.

“This also focuses money back into our counties, our sheriffs and to our probation and parole officers,” Humphrey said. “Releasing people without quality supervision is not the answer.”

The plan would incorporate evidence-based practice principles with real, progressive discipline policies and real sanctions, Humphrey said. This could all be done without asking any more money from the Legislature and would actually result in savings that could be reinvested in officer pay and training as well as into the state’s crumbling prison system, he said.

“This will provide true alternatives to incarceration and incorporate a state-of-the-art computer system, which reports statistical data that will be used to predict and respond to trends and behaviors, keeping us ahead of the curve when it comes to addressing criminal behavior not continuously trying to catch up,” Humphrey said.

The plan also would help reduce the amount of cases currently assigned to probation officers who would be reassigned from community corrections to answer directly to prisons.

Humphrey said he’s discussed this plan with new leadership at the Department of Corrections and the Board of Corrections. He’s considering suggesting a pilot program for the state.

Speakers at today’s interim study were Officer Ray Aldridge with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 147, Cleveland County Sherriff Todd Gipson, Kyle Foster with FosTech Solutions Inc., and Andrew Speno, Oklahoma state director of Right On Crime.

State Rep. Echols celebrates mass commutation as bill becomes law

Echols Bill Moves Oklahoma Out of No. 1 in Incarceration

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma will shed its status as the No. 1 incarcerator in the nation when more than 450 prisoners are released Nov. 4 under the provisions of House Bill 1269, authored by House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City). The action is being called the largest commutation release of prisoners in U.S. history.

“Oklahoma is no longer the nation’s top incarcerator,” Echols said. “This historic moment is the clearest proof yet that legislators are listening to the people and acting on criminal justice reform. Oklahoma is going to continue to take smart, practical steps like this one to further reduce our incarceration rate in a responsible manner. Oklahoma’s prison population has been in a sustained decline for three years now, and we aim to maintain that safe, steady decline well into the future.”

Echols attended today’s Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board meeting during which the prisoners received board recommendations for sentence commutations under the provisions of HB 1269, which alters simple drug possession and low-level property crime charges. After the meeting, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he will quickly approve the commutations so the commuted Oklahomans can be released Monday. This move reduces Oklahoma’s incarceration rate by 1.7%, placing the state in the No. 2 spot for persons incarcerated per capita – behind Louisiana and slightly above Mississippi.

“The action taken today represents the largest measure to date to reduce the incarceration rate in Oklahoma,” Echols said. “This is a completely new day for the people granted their freedom. I’m thankful to help them rejoin their families, get to work and become productive members of our communities without the burden of a felony on a criminal record. I pray they take advantage of every opportunity afforded them to further their education or enhance their workforce skills and to get other help needed so they can continue to live in freedom.”

Oklahoma’s prison population this week, according to the Department of Corrections, was 26,334 out of a state population of 3,943,079. The projected prison population after Monday’s release is 25,884, taking the prison incarceration rate from 667.8 per 100,000 citizens to 656.4. Louisiana’s per capita prison incarceration rate is 682.6 and Mississippi’s is 648.3, based on analysis of the most recent prison populations reported by those states.

HB 1269 applies retroactively to inmates serving time for simple drug possession and property crimes valued at less than $1,000. Voters approved the reclassification of these crimes from felonies to misdemeanors with the passage of State Question 780 in 2016. HB 1269 made the change retroactive to those previously sentenced. The bill was a bipartisan effort.

Echols said this is one of many thoughtful and pragmatic steps taking place in overall criminal justice reform in Oklahoma. The Legislature for three years in a row has focused on reforms to reduce the state’s incarceration rate. Echols said he and other lawmakers will pursue additional reforms in the upcoming legislative session and going forward.

In advance of today’s move, the Department of Corrections held several transition fairs in which inmates were connected with organizations available to help them with housing, transportation, employment, health care, mental health care and mentoring upon their release.

Pardon and Parole Board sends largest single-day commutation in history to Governor

OKLAHOMA PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD RECOMMENDS LARGEST SINGLE-DAY COMMUTATION IN U.S. HISTORY

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously Friday to recommend the sentences of 527 state inmates be commuted, the largest such action in state and national history. The office of Governor Kevin Stitt will process the recommendations by end of day Friday for final approval.

“This is a historical day for criminal justice reform in Oklahoma, as we send the largest single day commutation of sentences in our nation’s history to the governor’s desk,” said Steven Bickley, Executive Director of the Pardon and Parole Board. “With this vote, we are fulfilling the will of Oklahomans. However, from day one, the goal of this project has been more than just the release of low level, non-violent offenders, but the successful reentry of these individuals back into society. It has been a moving experience to see our state and community partners help connect our inmates with the resources they need for a successful reentry and I thank Governor Stitt, DOC Director Scott Crow, and the many local nonprofits, churches, and job creators that stepped up to ensure these inmates have every opportunity for success.”

“I applaud the Pardon and Parole Board’s dedication to fulfill the will of the people through the HB 1269 docket, giving hundreds of non-violent, low-level offenders an opportunity at a second chance,” said Governor Stitt. “I also thank the Department of Corrections and the many non-profits who are stepping up and working hard to connect our inmates with the resources they need for a successful transition. This event is another mark on our historic timeline as we move the needle in criminal justice reform, and my administration remains committed to working with Oklahomans to pursue bold change that will offer our fellow citizens a second chance while also keeping our communities and streets safe.”

Friday’s historic vote on the single-stage commutation docket is the result of months-long collaboration among numerous state entities, including Pardon and Parole, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Office of Governor Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma District Attorneys Council and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.

The board considered 814 inmates’ cases during the special meeting which was held the first day HB 1269 took effect. The 2019 law enabled the Pardon and Parole Board to hold an accelerated single-stage commutation docket to review the sentences of inmates in prison for crimes which would no longer be considered felonies if charged today.  In 2016, Oklahomans passed criminal justice reforms that made simple drug possession a misdemeanor and increased the felony dollar threshold from $500 to $1000 for felony property crimes.

The Board recommended to the Governor 527 inmates for commutation, 75% male and 25% female.  Because 65 inmates have detainers, 462 inmates will be released on Monday, November 4.  Of the inmates receiving a favorable recommendation: the average age was 39.7 years old, they had been incarcerated for the past three years, the recommendation was to commute 1,931 years resulting in inmates being released 1.34 years early on average.  Had these inmates served their full uncommuted sentence, it could have cost the State of Oklahoma approximately $11.9M for continued incarceration based upon the average costs.

In addition to the sheer number of inmates who received recommendations for commutation, this collaborative effort produced numerous other notable “firsts” in Oklahoma history.

With the leadership of the governor’s office, Pardon and Parole, and dozens of nonprofits, Oklahoma Department of Corrections held its first ever transition fairs for inmates’ at 28 facilities across the state.  More than 200 people from 45 community partners, nonprofits, and state agencies attended.  These fairs connected 781 inmates with the services they may need once released.

In another first, having done the necessary release work in advance, Oklahoma Department of Corrections will be ready to release the commuted inmates on Monday, November 4.  ODOC expects to receive the signed commutation certificates from the governor’s office Friday afternoon, thus enabling the facilities to work over the weekend processing the discharge paperwork, transferring inmates’ trust account money to debit cards, and preparing the necessary inmate discharge medications.

Finally, in another first, ODOC was able to remove another major hurdle for many offenders as they return to society by arranging for recommended inmates to have a valid state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID prior to discharge.  Removing this obstacle required through a massive coordinated work effort by ODOC staff and special grant funding from the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Arnall Family Foundation, along with assistance from TEEM (The Education and Employment Ministry). 

Stitt executive order focuses on contraband cellphones in Oklahoma prisons

GOVERNOR STITT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ADDRESS CONTRABAND CELLPHONES IN OKLAHOMA PRISONS

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Sept. 27, 2019)— Governor Kevin Stitt announced today 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 public safety threat of contraband cellphones in Oklahoma prisons and correctional facilities.

“Contraband cellphones in our state prisons have become a serious public safety concern in Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt. “This is a technology issue that must be answered with a technology solution in order to efficiently and effectively improve safety for our inmates, Department of Correction employees and citizens of Oklahoma. Through EO 2019-41, we are working to address the contraband cellphone crises in order to minimize criminal activity in and out of our prisons.”

“Contraband cellphones are our number-one security threat,” Interim ODOC Director Scott Crow said. “I applaud Governor Stitt, his administration and lawmakers for their leadership and understanding of this critical problem. While our staff seize thousands every year, contraband cellphones cry out for a technological solution. With this order, we will proceed with urgency, researching the most effective and efficient methods to fight this dangerous problem.”

“Working behind the wire is a dangerous job and contraband cellphones add even more to that threat for correctional officers,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R -Oklahoma City. “Contraband cellphones also threaten the safety and wellbeing of inmates by allowing the planning of dangerous activity within prison walls. I appreciate the Governor’s move to pursue ways that the state can crack down on the proliferation of contraband cellphones in state prisons.”

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, an estimated 150 to 200 inmates in an Oklahoma prison initiated acts of violence led by inmate gang leaders and gang members, which spread to five additional Oklahoma prisons during the afternoon of Sunday, September 15, 2019. The premeditated acts of violence were facilitated by communication between inmates using contraband cellphones and resulted in all prisons across the state being placed on lockdown.

The new Executive Order highlights that the increase in contraband cellphones in Oklahoma prisons has resulted in a serious and on-going public safety threat, as the smuggled devices are used to promote criminal activity in and out of prisons.

EO 2019-41 directs the secretaries and DOC to explore all possible technology solutions, including geo-location systems, cellphone jammers, micro cellphone jammers, controlled access systems and hybrid systems, in order to abate the safety concern. EO 2019-41 also directs the secretaries and DOC to work with Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation and Federal agencies to determine what actions are being taken by the Federal government in Federal correctional facilities to eliminate the contraband cellphone crises and research the liability of cellphone service companies that provide cellphone service to or for contraband cellphones and develop a plan to hold those companies accountable.

Once the most cost-effective solutions have been identified, the secretaries and DOC are asked to actively seek and obtain all legal authorizations required for the use of any technologies they plan to utilize and implement the solutions in the facilities that the DOC has identified as areas of concern.

A copy of EO 2019-41 is available by clicking here.

Stitt appoints interim director for Dep't of Corrections

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES INTERIM DIRECTOR OF ODOC

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 14, 2019)— Governor Kevin Stitt 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 to leadership, including as a captain with the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department and Assistant Police Chief for the City of Cache.

Crow’s appointment comes after former-Director Joe M. Allbaugh announced his immediate resignation Wednesday during the monthly meeting of ODOC’s volunteer governing board, the Oklahoma Board of Corrections.

“I appreciate Joe Allbaugh’s time serving the state of Oklahoma and building a team of talented employees,” Stitt said. “After learning of Allbaugh’s resignation, I immediately brought in Scott Crow to meet with me and to hear about his vision and passion for this important agency. Scott is the right person to step in as interim. Crow is committed to ensuring stability in leadership change and helping our administration map out a plan to build upon our recent success to increase correctional officers’ wages.”

While the search for Allbaugh’s replacement takes place, Crow will lead the agency’s more than 4,300 employees working in its 24 facilities stretched across Oklahoma, as well as Probation and Parole Services and Community Corrections.

“This agency remains in a position of strength due to its high-caliber of leaders and dedicated employees committed to public safety,” Crow said.

As of Thursday morning, the system was home to 26,145 inmates, with 32,383 under community supervision and 730 in county jails awaiting housing in prison.