Oklahoma parole board adopts new policy on nonviolent offenders

The changes were necessary because the governor no longer has the final say on parole in nonviolent cases.

Voters in November removed the governor from the parole process for nonviolent offenders when they approved State Question 762.

Voters approved the constitutional amendment 745,133 to 514,080, even though Gov. Mary Fallin and district attorneys across the state came out against it.

The governor still makes the final decision on parole for offenders convicted of specified violent offenses.

The board unanimously approved the new policy and procedures during a special meeting Monday in Oklahoma City. The board will meet again next week for its regular monthly session.

Executive Director Terry Jenks said a nonviolent inmate should get out of prison considerably quicker under the new procedure.

Jenks said the old procedure allowed the governor 30 days to decide on parole recommendations in nonviolent cases.

Delay in releases

Releases will not be immediate, though.

In each nonviolent case, a parole certificate must be prepared, the offender must sign it and the board has to file it with the Oklahoma secretary of state. Also, the Corrections Department must verify the paroled inmate has a “home offer” before the inmate actually is released.