Removing the Governor From the Parole Process
Filed by Michael Cross in Local News, News, Oklahoma Votes, Politics.
January 14, 2013
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board approves new procedures to adhere to State Question 762.
The constitutional question passed by nearly 60% of voters removes the governor from the parole process for nonviolent offenders.
The special meeting of the Pardon and Parole Board Monday only lasted about an hour and a half to iron out details of the new procedure.
Chairman Marc Dreyer says despite recent criticism from prosecutors nothing will change the diligence by which the board reviews parole candidates.
“There have been some that have said the board’s being turned loose to carte blanche turn anyone loose that they want to, and that just simply isn’t true.”
Dreyer says the new procedures will go into effect immediately for the January hearings next week as well as about 150 nonviolent offenders from December’s meeting.
Governor Fallin will still have a final say in parole cases for people convicted of 63 types of violent crimes.
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