Parole board members consider asking for more money

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is considering a request to lawmakers that they receive a 250-dollar stipend per special hearing.

Members cite a rising number of clemency hearings.

The issue was discussed a meeting yesterday but members took no action.

The five board members receive a salary of 14-hundred dollars a month, plus travel and lodging expenses.

Members meet once a month for four days to consider parole for about 800 inmates.

The board has conducted ten additional hearings within the past year to consider clemency for death row inmates.

The board's executive director says Oklahoma is one of few states with a part-time board. Terry Jenks says the current monthly salary is in line with what other states with part-time boards pay.

But Jenks says Oklahoma's board has a larger workload than other boards.