Oklahoma County Judge Upset With Supervision Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma County judge has expressed her displeasure with a law that allows the state Corrections Department to end supervision for people on probation. <br/><br/>The law is not

Saturday, October 14th 2006, 4:51 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma County judge has expressed her displeasure with a law that allows the state Corrections Department to end supervision for people on probation.

The law is not new, but District Judge Twyla Mason Gray said she was particularly bothered by two cases during the past week.

One ended supervision for a convicted robber who had served about six years of a 15-year term, and the other involved someone convicted for concealing stolen property, after more serious charges had been dismissed on a technicality.

``I sure am not happy about this,'' Gray said.

Corrections Department spokesman Jerry Massie said department officials aren't aware of any complaints about ending supervision for some inmates and that those officials would listen to any concerns.

Debbie Forshee, spokeswoman for Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane, said the law also causes problems for prosecutors. She called it ``totally inappropriate'' and said there should be a way for prosecutors or judges to challenge decisions to end supervision.

Massie said offenders qualify to be taken off supervised probation after they have satisfied all the requirements put upon them during sentencing.

Correction Department records show more than 27,000 offenders were under supervised probation during July. The department has less than 300 probation officers.