Topic: Justice System

What’s driving Oklahoma’s prison population growth?

By: Ryan Gentzler
February 9, 2016 // Updated: December 10, 2020
Oklahoma has the second highest incarceration rate in the country, up from fourth highest in 2012, with approximately 1,310 out of every 100,000 of our citizens incarcerated in 2014. The state appropriated $485 million to the Department of Corrections in FY… Read more [More...]

No less than 20 measures filed to change Oklahoma’s judicial system this year (Capitol Updates)

By: Steve Lewis
February 5, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.… Read more [More...]

Here are our top priorities for Oklahoma’s 2016 legislative session

By: David Blatt
February 4, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Over 1,700 bills and resolutions have been introduced for the 2016 legislative session, along with an equal number of measures from last session that remain alive and could still be considered this year. Despite the  plethora of legislation, there is… Read more [More...]

After resignation of director, will Oklahoma keep improving juvenile justice system? (Capitol Updates)

By: Steve Lewis
January 22, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.… Read more [More...]

Ryan Gentzler joins OK Policy as criminal justice policy analyst

By: David Blatt
January 14, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Oklahoma Policy Institute is pleased to announce that Ryan Gentzler has joined the organization in a new policy analyst position that will focus on criminal justice issues. The position is funded through a grant from the Center on Budget and… Read more [More...]

Would consolidating law enforcement improve public safety? (Capitol Updates)

By: Steve Lewis
October 23, 2015 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.… Read more [More...]

Why unlikely allies want to reform Oklahoma’s civil asset forfeiture law

By: Gene Perry
October 1, 2015 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Last week, Oklahoma Policy Institute participated in a joint press conference with Sen. Kyle Loveless (R-OKC), the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma. The topic was a new poll jointly sponsored by… Read more [More...]

OKC panhandling ordinance part of a disturbing trend of criminalizing poverty

By: Tyler Parette
September 29, 2015 // Updated: May 2, 2019
[Update: During public comments on the ordinance, a large majority of those speaking said that passing it would be a mistake. A final vote is still scheduled for Oct. 13.] Today the Oklahoma City Council is holding a public hearing… Read more [More...]

Should law enforcement be able to take citizens’ property without filing charges? (Capitol Updates)

By: Steve Lewis
September 4, 2015 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.… Read more [More...]

Thorny questions on the role of law enforcement in schools (Capitol Updates)

By: Steve Lewis
August 14, 2015 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.… Read more [More...]