The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has proposed new rules and regulations for the commutation process.  Because this rule impacts the public, there is an administrative process to go through.  The good news is that inmates and their families have an opportunity to make suggestions, but time is critical.

There are three ways of commenting.  Written and/or in-person comments can be provided as follows:

Written comments can be mailed to the PPB at P.O. Box 11341, Oklahoma City OK 73136, or

Emailed to: boardcommunications@ppb.ok.gov

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS IS NO LATER THAN 5 PM on February 16, 2016.

Oral comments can be made at a PUBLIC HEARING ON FEBRUARY, 22, 2016, beginning at 10 AM, at the Kate Barnard Community Corrections Center in the Ted R. Logan Meeting Center, 3300 Martin Luther King Avenue, Oklahoma City.  If you wish to make a statement you will need to register at that time and will be given 3 minutes to speak.

The rulemaking process and the draft rule can be found on the PPB website https://www.ok.gov/ppb/ under the “Agency & Board Meeting Information” tab.  On that dropdown menu, select “Administrative Rules, Policies & Procedures.”

You can also request a PDF of the rule by emailing:

OKCURE@OKCURE.org or

EDLCWoodward@gmail.com

Your comments are important and can make a difference.  One problematic part of the rule is the limitation of only one application unless there has been a statutory change in the penalty or upon the recommendation of the Governor.

Be a presence at the hearing.  Your presence at the hearing, if at all possible, is equally important!  Even if you will not be making an oral comment – just being there is a statement to the Board that you are interested and paying attention.

(Since 2012 only 2 commutations have been sign by the Governor of which only 1 got to go home The other guy now has an 81yr sentence to serve)