Sentencing reform finding little support in state legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Sentencing Commission has a challenging task.<br/><br/>Sentencing reform proposals to reduce inmate populations at state prisons have little support among lawmakers,

Monday, April 4th 2005, 6:40 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Sentencing Commission has a challenging task.

Sentencing reform proposals to reduce inmate populations at state prisons have little support among lawmakers, who have rejected all but one plan to broaden probationary terms and expand incarceration alternatives.

The 15-member commission released eight recommendations last year to balance demands on the state's prison system with the need for public safety.

One that allows intermediate sanctions instead of revocation for some probation violators is the only one still alive as the Legislature reaches the halfway point in the session.

The Senate killed a measure that would have allowed offenders charged only with drug possession to be presumptively sentenced to a drug court, community sentencing or probation.

A plan to streamline the parole process also died in the state Senate.

Prison costs have increased 193 percent, or $253-million, in the past 16 years. The prison budget totals $383-million for the fiscal year that ends June 30th.

On Friday, Governor Henry signed an $18-million supplemental appropriations bill so the prison system could make it to the end of the year.