The Oklahoma Constitution authorizes the Governor to consider an inmate for parole only if parole has first been recommended by the Pardon and Parole Board. Each month the Parole Board considers hundreds of offenders for parole. Members study a detailed report on each offender, and review hundreds of letters protesting or supporting parole. At each meeting, supporters and protestors, including victims and district attorneys, may appear and speak, and Board members interview many of the offenders being considered that month. Additionally, Board members regularly receive training, both at their meetings and at national meetings, regarding factors to consider in deciding whether to recommend parole.

 

     Oklahoma Governors have many important demands on their time. Proponents of changing the Governor’s role cite the important knowledge the Board gains that the Governor may be unable to replicate at all, and certainly not without delay, while the Governor reviews information about each offender.

 

     Moreover, proponents of change cite the high cost to the state of delaying recommended paroles during Governor review. The state pays between just under $2000 to more than $4000 dollars per month, to incarcerate each offender. Conservatively estimating 150 offenders are recommended for parole each month, and conservatively estimating a one month delay while the Governor reviews each recommendation, the cost is between $30,000 and $60,000 per month, or $360,000 to $720,000 per year. Recently, a law was enacted providing if the Governor takes no action on a parole within thirty days, the parole is deemed granted. While this statute may lessen the delay, proponents of change say that many categories of offenders are not subject to the law, and under the law, delay could still last at least one month.

 

     Additionally, proponents of change are concerned that delay sometimes means an offender approved for parole will discharge without ever being supervised on the street.