Hello Friends,
Before we go any further, I’d like to address some feedback insinuating I dislike the Parole system, and everyone associated with it. Absolutely, positively not true. So, right here, right now at the very first, I want to make myself perfectly clear. Everything I’m doing is not personal and I am not against the PPB or even the system necessarily.
What I am against is further endangerment of the public by choosing to encourage liberal public policy, establishing releases earlier and earlier, all in the name of creating bed space. I cannot and will not support current sentiment, legislation and/or pending bills which means, in my mind, opening the doors and letting inmates out instead of investing the money to keep the public safety.
In 1944, Article 6 of the Oklahoma Constitution created the Pardon and Parole Board for the express role of recommending reprieves, commutation, paroles and pardons. Even before 1944, there was and always has been some sort of early out program/good behavior reward system. If I remember correctly, the first Oklahoma inmates were released early because of overcrowding from incarceration in Kansas, as Oklahoma Territory did not have a penitentiary yet.
As a former Probation and Parole Officer, I know the importance of supervision. I believe supervision and diversion programs are a vital and important part of a correctional justice system.
Therefore, I want everyone to know that I am not nor have I ever been, against the Pardon and Parole Board. Far, far from it. In fact, I am one of the Administrations biggest fans! They have no choice but to follow the laws to the best of their abilities. I am extremely proud to say I had the opportunity to work with each and every one of the nine in Administration, and I know for a fact each one of them is conscientious, hardworking, dedicated, and highly professional. I support them completely. Any personal criticism of the PPB Administration is completely unfounded in my books. I am grateful both personally and professionally for the PPB Administration. Thank you for your excellent and dedicated service to the State.
Hopefully, this has cleared up any confusion and/or misinformation about me and my goal to reform Victim Justice.
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