Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Applauds Corrections Reform Efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY—Last week, the Oklahoma Board of Corrections adopted the recommendation of Governor Mary Fallin to change the way inmates in state prisons earn early release credits. The change brings state practice into line with the plain meaning of state law.

“This is a sensible decision by the Governor and Board of Corrections,” said Trent England, vice president of strategic initiatives at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. “Agencies should enforce the most reasonable meaning of statutes passed by the legislature.”

England also said the change reflects a growing consensus that warehousing ever more Oklahomans is unsustainable.

“Make no mistake, prison makes sense for many offenders, both as a punishment and for public safety. But it’s also extremely expensive for taxpayers and may turn low-level offenders into hardened criminals. The time has come to move beyond ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key’ toward a balanced position that better serves Oklahoma’s long-term interests.”

About the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) was founded in 1993 as a public policy research organization focused primarily on state-level issues. OCPA conducts the research and analysis of public issues in Oklahoma from a perspective of limited government, individual liberty and a free-market economy.

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