Several Green Country Inmates On Alleged Secret List For Early Parole

The Oklahoma parole board is accused of breaking the law, holding secret meetings and considering paroling some inmates early.

The allegations included keeping a list of 50 inmates who were considered for early parole, but who Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said were not eligible.

Their crimes include murder, lewd acts with kids, shooting with intent to kill, and for Maelene Chambers, manslaughter.

Chambers was convicted in 2008, and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Oklahoma law requires Chambers serve at least 85% of her sentence, but the victim's family received word that Chambers would be considered for parole four years early.

8/8/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma County D.A. Accuses Parole Board Of Operating 'Secret' Docket For Inmates

Prater started asking questions and said he found out parole board members were placing inmates on a docket called a "Pre-Docket Investigation," where they would approve certain inmates for early parole consideration even if they did not qualify for it.

Robert Rainey served on the Department of Corrections board, which works with the parole board.

He also represents the victim of Chambers' crime.

At least nine of the convicts on the secret list are from our area. All were doing time for drugs.

Easker Brooks III is serving a 25 year sentence for a Tulsa County case and at a parole board meeting this month, he was granted a parole hearing.

Tulsa County's Assistant DA said, "We are very concerned about this issue and are looking into the four cases on the list from Tulsa County."

The parole board has agreed to stop this practice for the time being, while the state Attorney General looks into it.

The board said it believes "it has both statutory and Constitutional authority to bring offenders up for early consideration."