Oklahoma has earned recognition for efforts to reduce its prison population.
Gov. Mary Fallin is featured in a new campaign that highlights states leading the way. U.S. Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris said Fallin is the first governor to mention high female incarceration rates during a state of the state address.
"You know, we talk a lot about racial disparities, but we don't talk a whole lot about what is exploding the female prison population," Harris said. "So, Gov. Fallin's leadership on this issue has really been extraordinary."
One measure lawmakers are working on this year reduces penalties for forgery crimes, which supporters say are too harsh when the perpetrators are often women with nonviolent records.
After a slate of bills was signed into law last year, the legislature is also working on measures this session to change felony thresholds on more property crimes and reduce the waiting period before a felony is expunged.
Harris said lawmakers, however, should be feeling the heat over work to undo provisions of State Question 780.
"When you have a ballot initiative there that is overwhelmingly successful, and then you have a certain segment of legislators that are trying to repeal the will of the people, that's garnering national attention," Harris said.
SQ780 reclassified drug possession as a misdemeanor and passed with nearly 60 percent of the vote. House Bill 1482, which is now in the Senate, allows for felony charges if possession is within 1,000 feet of a school or in the presence of a child 12 years old or younger.
Harris said when it comes to other issues, Oklahoma can look to other states' action on civil asset forfeiture as a next step.
"Michigan is looking to go post-conviction this year. There's been some great progress on legislation in Arizona, which is a very strong law enforcement state," Harris said. "Obviously, we'd like to see Oklahoma move forward with some progressive civil asset forfeiture reforms as well."
A Senate bill this session postponing asset seizure until after a jury trial stalled in committee.
