Pubdate: Wed, 27 Nov 2002
Source: Shawnee News-Star (OK)
Copyright: 2002 The Shawnee News-Star
Contact:  http://www.onlineshawnee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/412
Author: Associated Press

KEATING ASKS PAROLE BOARD TO CONSIDER EARLY RELEASES

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The early release of up to 1,000 nonviolent inmates from 
state prisons should not pose a significant public safety risk, officials 
said Tuesday. Gov. Frank Keating has asked the Pardon and Parole Board to 
consider the early releases to help ease the budget crisis facing the state 
Department of Corrections.

Under the plan, only inmates with less than five years to serve on their 
sentences would be considered for commutation.

Terry Jenks, executive director of the parole agency, said the governor's 
request would be considered either at a special meeting or at the board's 
regularly scheduled meeting, Dec. 10-12 in Lexington.

Officials said there are no guarantees on inmates' conduct after they leave 
prison, but pointed out that those to be considered for early release are 
in prison on nonviolent crimes.

Jerry Massie, DOC spokesman, said the list of 1,000 inmates was developed 
by paring "for one reason or another" a computer generated list of 3,000 
inmates who appeared to meet Keating's criteria.

"I think the criteria is pretty stringent," Massie said. "It's stringent 
enough that it probably reduces the risk to the public. According to the 
criteria, they cannot have a history of violent crime."

In addition to being nonviolent, Keating said the board should not consider 
inmates convicted of drug trafficking or those facing charges in other 
jurisdictions....

Keating called the proposed commutations "regrettable" but necessary.

The DOC still has a $27 million shortfall to deal with, even after the 
Legislature met in special session earlier this month to approve $9.8 
million in emergency funding for the agency.

The action kept the agency from furloughing prison guards beginning in 
December.

Dan Mahoney, Keating spokesman, said the governor is confident dangerous 
inmates would not be released.

Oklahoma's prison incarceration rate is the fourth highest in the nation 
behind Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

Since Keating was elected in 1994, prison costs have climbed from $172 
million to more than $407 million a year.

Last week, more than 23,000 were housed in state prisons or private 
prisons, the highest number ever.

Keating opposed early release of inmates for most of his two terms in 
office, but the parole board started considering commutations 14 months ago 
for inmates who had less than six months to serve.
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