The governor's task force on corrections reform has finally begun implementing some simple and effective reforms for saving money while making sure the 85% prison terms are completed. Speaker Hickman took to the House floor to present HB3159. It allows a candidate for parole to receive a hearing just prior to meeting the 85% completion date of his sentence. Previously, the inmate had to first attain the 85% of the time sentenced to incarceration before applying for a parole hearing. this led to many inmates having to serve as much as 95% of their sentence before a hearing could be scheduled and completed. The hearings and standards for release are not changed. It is simply a coordinated effort let the best candidates for parole go home as soon as they reach the 85% requirement. Democrats and Republicans joined ranks to give this reform a 90-0 unanimous vote of approval. |
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Sooner Politics
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