Oklahoma’s parole rate rose in 2024 after years of decline, an Oklahoma Watch analysis shows.
Nearly 29% of state prisoners who sought parole from January through November received a favorable recommendation, up from 24% in 2023. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has the authority to grant parole to non-violent offenders and the parolee to recommend the release of violent offenders to the governor .
The December docket meeting was moved to mid-January after former Vice President Calvin Prince, who is under investigation for inappropriate behavior with a woman he was mentoring in a Pontotoc County Drug Court class, abruptly resigned Nov. 29. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Tulsa attorney Susan Stava will fill Prince’s seat on Dec. 4, but one vacancy remains after Speaker Ed Koniezcky’s resignation on Nov. 6.
Parole denials increased significantly in 2022 and 2023, correlating with an increase in the state’s prison population as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. Several other states saw a similar decline in parole rates, according to an analysis by the Prison Policy Initiative.
More: Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board faces a backlog of 550 cases after their resignations
Justice reform advocates have argued that a full-time parole board would be better equipped to review cases and have confidence in recommending parole, especially for violent offenders. Lawmakers heard testimony on the issue during an Oct. 30 interim study on sentencing reform and could consider changes during the 2025 legislative session.
Violent offenders were still the least likely to receive favorable advice; approximately 20% passed the initial assessment stage. That was a significant increase from 2023, when around one in ten offenders received a more intensive phase two assessment. Most inmates who receive a phase two hearing are recommended for parole.
Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization covering public policy issues facing the state.
The board will hear about 550 cases at its Jan. 13 meeting. Executive Director Tom Bates said he expects all positions to be filled by then.
Keaton Ross covers democracy and criminal justice for Oklahoma Watch. Contact him at (405) 831-9753 or Kross@Oklahomawatch.org. Follow him on Twitter at @_KeatonRoss.
Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization covering public policy issues facing the state.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Parole rates in Oklahoma are on the rise
