Lawmakers passed a series of bills yesterday designed to ease the severe overcrowding in Oklahoma’s prisons. Gov. Mary Fallin outlined her goal to reduce Oklahoma's incarceration rate during her State of the State address in February. Oklahoma has the highest number of females behind bars per capita in the U.S., and the rate of incarcerated men ranks near the top as well.
State Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, is his chamber's author of House Bill 2472, which gives prosecutors more discretion to file charges as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
“We're trying to make sure we can get people's lives restored,” Treat said. “Not necessarily throw them in prison, but get their lives restored and make them productive citizens again."
Oklahoma's prisons are currently at 122 percent capacity, and the state Department of Corrections has to find space for an estimated 1,000 new prisoners.
The Senate Appropriations Committee also passed a bill Wednesday by state Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, that establishes broader use of Oklahoma's drug courts.
"Drug court runs about $5,000 per year per person. If we incarcerate somebody it costs about $20,000 per year,” Treat said. “Plus, if we incarcerate somebody, somebody's got to take care of their children. We support them with our taxes. If they're staying out, they're working, they're required to work, they're paying taxes, and we like that."
The Senate panel also passed bills that would ease penalties for simple drug possession and many nonviolent property crimes.
KGOU produces journalism in the public interest, essential to an informed electorate. Help support informative, in-depth journalism with a donation online, or contact our Membership department.
