Still more proof that deep red states can be deeply committed to deep criminal justice reforms comes in this local article from Oklahoma headlined "Governor signs legislation to make State Question 780 retroactive." Here are the encouraging particulars:
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed into law a criminal justice reform measure that will make State Question 780 retroactive. Voters passed the state question in 2016 to reclassify some drug possession and property crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies.
The retroactivity legislation, which takes effect Nov. 1, establishes an expedited commutation process for people who are serving felony prison sentences for offenses that are now misdemeanors. It also provides a simplified path to expungement for people with old drug possession and low-level property convictions.
Lawmakers estimated that 500 to 800 people could be released on simple possession charges and up to 60,000 people could have their records expunged under the bill.
The legislation will allow families to be reunited and will contribute to workforce development, said Kris Steele, executive director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, a nonpartisan coalition that pushed for the retroactivity measure and other legislative reforms. "Tens of thousands of Oklahomans will be eligible to apply to have their felony taken off their record, which will open up new and hopefully more fruitful employment opportunities for them," Steele said....
"Making the reforms in State Question 780 retroactive not only upholds the will of the people, the voters of our state, but it also opens up a lot of opportunities for individuals who have that scarlet letter hanging around their neck to have that removed and it affords those individuals the opportunity to move forward in life in a very healthy and positive way," he said.
The law directs the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board to establish an accelerated, single-stage commutation docket for applicants currently serving time who have been convicted of a crime that has been reclassified from a felony to a misdemeanor. Typically, applicants seeking commutation must pass through a two-stage review process with the Pardon and Parole Board in order to receive a favorable recommendation to the governor, who has final say about whether to grant a commutation.
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