OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill aimed at easing the state's prison crowding problem and improving safety is making its way through the Oklahoma Legislature.
Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, said he hopes his House Bill 2732 will be heard on the House floor in the coming days.
The measure would allow offenders whose crimes require them to serve 85 percent of their sentences to begin earning credits toward early release at the front end of their terms. Once the offender completes 85 percent of the sentence, the credits would be applied to reduce the remainder.
Cleveland said the measure was requested by correctional officers. The measure would provide an incentive for offenders to obey the rules behind bars, he said.
"Credits are the best tool officers have for keeping inmates in line and keeping them well-behaved," said Sean Wallace, Oklahoma Corrections Professionals executive director. "It is a safety issue. Almost a third of the population cannot earn credits now, so they have no incentive to behave."
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Roughly 7,630 of the state's 26,633 offenders are serving sentences for 85 percent crimes, said Jerry Massie, Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesman.
Crimes that require 85 percent of the sentence to be served prior to release include murder, manslaughter and rape. Lawmakers over the years have been adding crimes to the list, something which has increased the prison population.
Currently, the agency does not allow those offenders to begin earning credits toward early release until after 85 percent of the sentence has been completed, Massie said.
"That is our interpretation of existing statute," Massie said.
Cleveland said some prosecutors are opposed to the measure.
"They want to label me as being soft on crime," Cleveland said.
The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association supports the bill, said Trent Baggett, assistant executive coordinator.
Oklahoma's prison system has been chronically overcrowded and short-staffed.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
