Why? 

The Governor of Oklahoma is required by the State Constitution to review every recommendation made by the Pardon and Parole Board.

We're the only state in the United States with this Constitutional requirement.

It's Expensive

The estimated taxpayer cost of the Governor's involvement in the parole process is $40,700,000 over the next ten years.

This doesn't take into account the cost to incarcerate parolee's while the Governor considers each recomendation.

• Average delay - 77 days
• Average cost-per-day for each parolee to be incarcerated - $53
• 1,664 parole recommendation made by the Pardon and Parole Board in 2008
• Cost to the taxpayer for incarceration during the time the Governor reviews recommendation - $6,800,000 per year

$108,700,000 over ten years

It's Redundant

Oklahoma has a five member Pardon and Parole Board - Their responsibility is to review every docet. After the Board makes a recommendation, each case is forwarded to the Governor's office for review.

• Three members are appointed by the Governor
• One member is appointed by the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court
• One member is appointed by the presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals

What CAN We Do?

1. Amend the Contitution.
2. Modify the Governor's participation by legislation.

Amend the State Constituion

1. Amendments (changes) to the Oklahoma Constitution may be proposed in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. If an amendment is agreed to by a majority of the members of each house of the Legislature, the amendment is presented to the citizens of Oklahoma for their vote (State Question). If a majority of voters approve an amendment, it becomes part of the Oklahoma Constitution.
2. The Legislature may also propose that a constitutional convention be held to amend the Oklahoma Constitution. But a proposal for a convention must be approved by a majority of the voters before it may be held.
3. As designated by the Oklahoma Bill of Rights, voters may also petition (make a formal written request) the government to begin formal proceedings on a proposed amendment. (This effort requires a petition bearing signatures of at least 15% in number of the total number of voters in the most recent general elecation. Signatures must be attained within 90 days and then must be validated).

Modify the Governor's role by legislation.

1. Legislation was introduced in the House in the 2008 Session (HB 2957 - by Rep. Sue Tibbs). The House passed the Bill 98-1. It died in a Senate committee and was never heard.
2. A courageous push this year led by Rep. Sue Tibbs and Sen. Constance Johnson and others, is underway. Please provide your support by contacting your legislators.

Four of oklahoma's past goveror's support removing the governor from the parole process

• Former Gov. Henry Bellmon
• Former Gov. David Boren
• Former Gov. George Nigh
• Former Gov. David Walters

ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE PASSED RESOLUTIONS SUPPORTING THE REMOVAL OF THE GOVERNOR FROM THE PAROLE PROCESS

• The United Methodist Church of Oklahoma
• Resolution of the Clergy and Delegates of the 71st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
• The Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections
• The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board
• The Oklahoma Public Employee Association

The fastest growing segment of Oklahoma government is the Department of Corrections. Their budget is growing faster than Common Education, Higher Education, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Roads.