Issue Position: Prison Reform

Issue Position

Oklahoma ranks 2nd in the nation in incarceration rate and 1st in the incarceration rate of women. A recent report showed that the number of prisoners have increased by 26.4% and the number of correction officers decreased by 24% since 2000. Our prison system is in deep need of reform. New approaches to justice like rehabilitating non-violent criminals, investing in mental health, and developing prevention programs, will allow the state to reduce the costs associated with Oklahoma's prisons. This will allow those resources to be reallocated to more positive areas such as education and family services.

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