Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill To Ease Prison Crowding

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed a bill into law Wednesday aimed at easing overcrowding in state prisons.

House Bill 2131, authored by House Speaker Kris Steele, keeps some non-violent criminals out of prison, reduces the governor's role in the parole process and establishes requirements for members of the Pardon and Parole board.

"This bill is about being smart on crime as well as tough on crime," Fallin said. "The reforms we are signing into law will not only save taxpayer dollars, they'll help to address some of the social problems that continue to drag down the quality of life in our otherwise great state.

"We cannot afford to continue on the current path with our incarceration policies," Steele said. "This bill shows we are serious about changing course to be smarter on crime."