Does the death penalty cost more than it’s worth? (Guest Post: Matt Simmons)

Matt Simmons is a former OK Policy intern. He recently completed his MA in American history at the University of Tulsa, and he is currently pursuing a PhD in history at the University of Florida. He can be found on… Read more [More...]

Prescription Drug Abuse in Oklahoma

Prescription drug abuse is a public health crisis in Oklahoma, contributing to over eight hundred deaths in 2012. In our new fact sheet on the topic, we provide a quick overview of the issue, dispel a few myths, and suggest… Read more [More...]

While nearby states decriminalize, Oklahoma’s marijuana laws are among harshest in the nation

This post is by OK Policy intern Haley Stritzel. Haley is a University of Tulsa student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies. This session, Senator Connie Johnson has introduced Senate Bill 2166, which would… Read more [More...]

Graph of the Day: Corrections staffing way down while inmate population rises

Today’s Graph of the Day shows that the number of correctional officers staffing Oklahoma prisons has fallen by 24.5 percent since 2000 and by 20 percent just in the past five years, while the number of inmates continues to rise.  … Read more [More...]

Upcoming Event: Invisible Eve at Tulsa’s 108 Contemporary

On Friday, November 1st, Tulsa’s 108 Contemporary, located at 108 East Brady Street, will premiere an exhibition of portraits by Yousef Khanfar from his book “Invisible Eve: Incarcerated Women of Oklahoma”. An opening reception for the event will take place… Read more [More...]

Department of Corrections audit won’t fix Oklahoma’s incarceration woes (Guest Post: Adam Banner)

handcuffs Adam R. Banner is founder of the Oklahoma Legal Group and a criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma City. Governor Mary Fallin recently requested an audit of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC). I fully support a careful examination of issues… Read more [More...]

Punishments & Profits: The private prison money trail

This post was written by former OK Policy intern Matt Simmons. Matt recently completed his MA in American history at the University of Tulsa, and he is currently pursuing a PhD in history at the University of Florida. He can… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s mandatory minimum punishments too often don’t fit the crime

In early August, US Attorney General Eric Holder made headlines by announcing that the Justice Department will no longer pursue mandatory minimum sentences for some low-level, nonviolent drug offenders. Mandatory minimums are policies that require everyone convicted of certain crimes… Read more [More...]

Policing for profit in Oklahoma

In July, Caddo County Special Judge David A. Stephens strongly condemned a “shocking” practice that was exposed after a woman driving along I-40 was stopped and questioned by Joe David, the owner of a private Guthrie-based company, Desert Snow. Since… Read more [More...]

Punishment & Profits: A cost-benefit analysis of private prisons

This post was written by OK Policy intern Matt Simmons. Matt recently completed his MA in American history at the University of Tulsa. He will be enrolling in the history PhD program at the University of Florida this fall. He… Read more [More...]