Budget & Tax, Criminal Justice

Lawmakers told criminal justice reform requires increased spending

While many criminal justice reforms have been sold as a way to lower crime rates and taxpayer costs, lawmakers were told the reform process currently requires additional spending on treatment programs even as its unintended consequences are reducing the incentive for offenders to seek drug treatment and fueling a rise in homelessness.

Ray Carter
October 14, 2019
Criminal Justice

A look back at criminal justice reform in Oklahoma

Although Oklahoma has enacted a significant amount of notable legislation aimed at improving Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, more reforms are necessary to continue to reduce the state’s incarceration rate.

Kaitlyn Finley
September 27, 2019
Criminal Justice

Punishment and crime: How they are (and are not) related

Changes to state penal codes can have a significant impact on reducing state prison populations. Oklahoma policymakers should continue to pursue new criminal justice reform policies to safely lower the state’s high incarceration rate.  

Kaitlyn Finley
August 13, 2019
Criminal Justice

By the numbers: Criminal justice in Oklahoma

Although Oklahoma’s crime rates have declined over the past twenty years, the state’s incarceration rate has continued to rise during the same time period. 

Kaitlyn Finley
August 1, 2019
Criminal Justice

Governor’s task force offers another chance at justice reform

Corrections-reform advocates didn't get all they wanted in the 2019 legislative session, but officials are hopeful that the 15-member RESTORE Task Force, created by Governor Kevin Stitt via an executive order, will have more success.

Ray Carter
June 17, 2019
Criminal Justice

Criminal justice reform: What passed, and what’s next for Oklahoma?

This session the Oklahoma legislature passed a handful of bills aimed at reforming the state’s criminal justice system. Governor Stitt’s new task force will propose additional criminal justice reform efforts next session.

Kaitlyn Finley
June 6, 2019
Criminal Justice

Bail bill rejected in House

Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives rejected legislation Wednesday that would have allowed more criminal suspects to be released from jail without bail after critics said it would lead to more crime and the bill’s author admitted he did not know how much the measure would increase taxpayer costs.

Ray Carter
May 23, 2019

Oklahoma tribes enter Arkansas market despite higher taxes

Ray Carter
August 22, 2019

Four schools spend six-figure sum on contract lobbyists

Ray Carter
August 21, 2019

School funding surges, but to what end?

Ray Carter
August 12, 2019
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