When will it stop? How much reform is too much reform for the criminals? When will the State stop focusing on and creating bed space in the name of reform and begin to focus on our safety and security? When will the victims be allowed to apply the sentences they desire to criminals and cases already adjudicated?
Governor Stitt has signed HB 1269, which according to published accounts, officials say would affect 60,000 Oklahomans and ease prison population by making State Question 780 retroactive. Who are these 60,000? Felons? If this denotes 60,000 felons, then I can assure you the numbers are astronomical for those effected by criminal acts.
HB 1269 now taxes the DOC to compiling a list every three months, the DA’s to re-evaluate the case and the Courts to resentence anyone who applies for relief. It also allows those felons who desire an expungement to do so at the cost of the state and not the criminal. Isn’t that nice of us. That is exactly how I want my tax dollars spent. Not!
I know many survivors who had to suffer through the agony of a second or third trial because the criminal who murdered their loved one was sentenced to life in prison during the time between the Life Without Parole (LWOP) law being passed and it’s going into effect. I don’t know of any who were resentenced to LWOP, and according to the courts, that was the end of it, no matter what the victims wanted. Now, for the sake of bed space and “criminal reform” life can be easier and better for 60,000 or so felons. Let’s make some other laws retroactive so life can be easier for the victims.
I recently spoke with someone in the Governor’s Office who assured me that the Restorative Task Force meetings slated for this summer will definitely include victims of crime because there can be “no criminal justice reform without victim justice.” I hope so. How about making the majority on this task force victims and advocates, and not the criminal advocates for a change?
And, what does it matter if a few victims are “at the table” if no one is listening? In an Oklahomans For Criminal Justice Reform newsletter dated 4-16-2019, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said “We’ve tried to have conversations with bill authors involved and every time our concerns fall on deaf ears.” Survivors and victims of crime know all too well that no one is listening. Where is our Victim Justice Reform Task Force? Senator Stephanie Bice said in focusing on reform that future legislation will “try to right the ship and stem incarceration rates in Oklahoma.” No offense to Senator Bice, but in my opinion, the only ship that needs righting is the one favoring victims of crime and not the offenders of crime.
So, when will all the insanity stop? Apparently not anytime soon. I just hope and pray no one gets hurt by yet another attempt at criminal justice reform. Oklahoma has a tendency to be re-active instead of pro-active, and that usually spells heartbreak and disaster for the victims.
Comments