Oklahoma prison officials envision drones, call monitoring and AI technologies as the future, but advocates worry the tools create risks that extend beyond incarceration.

The post As Oklahoma Prisons Embrace AI, Critics Warn of Risks appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The number of people deported without a criminal history continues to rise in Oklahoma. But as local law enforcement leaders enter into new ICE agreements, they say they are trying to take a nuanced approach in line with their community needs

The post Oklahoma’s Small-Town Police Take Federal Immigration Role appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

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Drug court participants line the halls on the fifth floor of the Oklahoma County Courthouse before Judge Kenneth Stoner opens the doors to his courtroom in this March 2022 file photo. During the just-concluded legislative session, state lawmakers finally designated a process to fund drug courts and treatment in counties throughout Oklahoma with the savings [...]

The post State Question 781 Participation Grows appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The company is touting starting pay of $27 per hour for detention officers, more than $5 per hour than Oklahoma pays correctional officer recruits.

The post CoreCivic Advertises Jobs at Vacant Prisons in Watonga and Sayre appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

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The story of a Texas County mom uncovers irregularities in panhandle justice – small town conflicts of interest and snitch mills – and becomes a parable about when an accused might need to defend themselves .

The post DIY Justice: In the Panhandle, You Might Have to Defend Yourself appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The number of Department of Corrections inmates awaiting transfer has increased 74% since 2021, correlating with a population uptick in the Oklahoma and Tulsa County Jails.

The post As Oklahoma Prison Transfers Slow, Jail Backlogs Grow  appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Russell Goodwin, a self-styled predator catcher who objects to being called a vigilante, said he protects the public by feeding police cases and exposing predators. But his tactics frustrate police efforts, and only about half his targets, some of whom are intellectually disabled, are ever charged with a crime.

The post Predator Hunters’ Tactics Draw Fans, but Concern Police and Advocates appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.