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Oklahoma Watch - Women in Prison

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Oklahoma sends more women to prison than any other state on a per capita basis and has for 14 of the past 15 years. It begs the question "Why?" During the next several months, Oklahoma Watch will join with other media partners in examining how we became "No. 1," what it means to the children they leave behind and to taxpayers and whether or not there is a better way to handle nonviolent offenders.

Oklahoma judges say they are not to blame for the high number of incarcerated women.

News | Published: Sun, Apr 10, 2011 | Comment on this article

Women in Prison Articles

Survey says Oklahomans concerned about big population of female inmates 2010-11-28 In a recent poll, the majority said the state lacks adequate alternative programs. Read More

Oklahoma lawmakers seek to strike budget balance for prisons 2010-12-05 This year marks the 12th year in the past 13 that the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has sought emergency funds from the state Legislature. Since 1995, the prison population has grown from 17,983 inmates to 26. The department estimates it now needs more than $592 million to operate. Read More

Faith-based prison ministry helps Oklahoma women 2010-12-12 TAFT â€” Sitting in her blue graduation robe, Heather Sisson feels more free than she has ever been. Read More

Women in Recovery program in Tulsa succeeding with treatment instead of punishment 2010-12-12 A Tulsa-based public-private partnership, Women in Recovery, is a pilot program for alternative treatment programs lawmakers are considering enacting elsewhere in Oklahoma in order to alleviate the state's prison crisis. Read More

Oklahoma City developing program similar to Tulsa's Women in Recovery 2010-12-12 Women in Recovery was created to reduce Oklahoma's nation-leading female incarceration rate. Read More

Cleveland County commissioners approve lease for women's jail diversion program 2010-12-21 The 10-month lease pays for an office for the sheriff office's women's jail diversion and job placement. Read More

Oklahomaâ€™s female inmate population skyrockets 2011-01-30 Reasons for high female prison population examined. Read More

Jails called biggest psychiatric treatment center 2011-01-30 Addiction, mental health problems cited as keys to imprisonment Read More

Incarcerated women's children may not get services they need 2011-01-31 Deborah Smith, director of Child and Family Services for Oklahoma's Department of Human Services, said no state or federal law requires tracking of children of incarcerated parents. Caseworkers have faced problems locating parents and getting an incarcerated parent to family court for parental rights termination... Read More

Program helps offenders make life changes 2011-02-06 Tulsa inmates get chance to improve their future lives through variety of programs. Read More