Senator Rader Leads Study on Modernizing Oklahoma’s Criminal Justice System Without Sacrificing Safety

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, on Wednesday hosted an interim study to explore ways to modernize the state’s criminal justice system by finding efficiencies and easing the financial burden on taxpayers.

Rader’s study brought together stakeholders from across the criminal justice and corrections systems to present before the Senate Public Safety Committee.

Experts highlighted costly challenges within the system, including prolonged pre-trial detention and wrongful convictions, which can cost the state millions. One presenter noted that roughly one in three court appearances is missed nationwide, with each absence costing the government an estimated $1,500 in administrative and operational expenses.

Speakers suggested reforms, including reducing the length of pre-trial detention periods, establishing conviction integrity units to review high-profile cases, simplifying court paperwork to reduce the number of missed appearances and re-examining policies around the aging prison population and medical parole for nonviolent offenders.

“We owe it to Oklahomans to ensure that every tax dollar spent in our criminal justice system is being used wisely,” Senator Rader said. “What we learned in this study is that smart, meaningful changes are possible that can save taxpayers millions, maybe even tens of millions of dollars, without compromising public safety or justice for crime victims. I look forward to continuing this conversation on reforms that will make our excellent criminal justice and corrections systems even better.”

Presenters included:

• Michael Olson, policy counsel for Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform
• Christina Vitale, partner at Jackson Walker LLP
• Stephen Saloom, policy director at (Un)Warranted
• Emily Kamer, Oklahoma client relationship manager for VINE Courts
• Jenna Thomas, chief administrative officer for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections

To watch the full study, visit oksenate.gov.

-END-

For more information, contact: Sen. Dave Rader at (405) 521-5620 or Dave.Rader@oksenate.gov