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OK-Forecast for prisons: severe increase in population for 2007
04/27/2006 by Summer L. Holleyman
(LIN) Oklahoma's prison population could grow by as much as 1,200 inmates at the end of fiscal year 2007, quadrupling last year's increase of 300 inmates, according to a report presented Thursday to the Oklahoma Board of Corrections.
K.C. Moon, director of the Criminal Justice Resource Center, informed the board that the Department of Corrections could see an annual growth rate for incarcerated individuals of 2.1 percent every year for the next 10 years if current trends remain the same.
When questioned by DOC Director Justin Jones about the accuracy of his projections, Moon said that, when determining increases in the prison population, his data has a margin of error of plus or minus 20 percent.
Moon said several factors could contribute to the increase, including the number of individuals sentenced to prison for drug violations and the number of new bills that would toughen penalties for certain crimes, but one factor stands out as having the biggest impact, according to the data collected by the Center. "I would say the single greatest cause of the increase is the release rate by the pardon and parole board and the governor," said Moon, referring to the abolishment of commutations and the decline of prisoners released on parole over the last 14 years.
In 1991, 40.8 percent of the prisoner population was released either on parole or by commutation of their sentence. That number has steadily declined over the last decade, with only 18.2 percent of the population being released on parole in 2005.
"The problem isn't more people getting in, it's less people getting out. In August of 2005, the commutation program was abolished. We used to see 500 prisoners getting out on commutation - now its zero. You're also seeing the parole docket going down," explained Moon, pointing to data that shows a decrease in the number of prisoners being granted parole.
In 2001, 2,301 prisoners were released on parole, while only 1,500 were released in 2005. Moon said he expects the 2006 parole numbers to be even less due to political factors, such as 2006 being an election year.
Sen. Cal Hobson, D-Lexington, who was present at the meeting, echoed Moon's supposition, stating that parole numbers have historically gone down during election years. "I've tried three times and failed to remove the governor out of the parole process. I even tried to pass a bill that would have let the people decide whether or not the governor should be involved. I have no hope that the people of Oklahoma will ever take the governor out of the process," said Hobson, referring to the potential effects politics can have on the parole system.
Several members of the board questioned the wisdom of cutting taxes at a time when the Department of Corrections was looking at trying to fund an increase in the prison population with limited resources and limited bed space.
"I would rather have my public safety needs met than get a tax cut. What's $1,500 back in my pocket if I don't have an adequate police force to protect me?" asked board member Beverly Young.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, also present at the meeting, spoke to the Board on the recent general appropriations budget negotiations that have spurred conflict between Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature.
"I support expanding and updating our facilities. Right now, we've got a lot of one-time money that should be spent on one-time things, not recurring things that we may not be able to fund in the future. The House says we should look at tax cuts, and then, after we've cut taxes, we can use what's left over to meet the needs of Oklahoma. The Senate looks at things differently. We believe we should fund the needs of Oklahoma first and then look at cutting taxes but it's an election year and a lot of games are being played," said Corn.
Hobson also remarked on the current battle over general appropriations spending, calling it a "Kabookie" dance between the two chambers. "It's the classic argument between huge tax cuts or investing in programs. The House worships at the alter of smaller government and fewer taxes. And there's the insatiable desire to pass more and more bills to incarcerate more and more people. There are still 70 bills out there dealing with getting tough on crime and not a single bill on the flip side to deal with some of your problems," said Hobson.
One of the biggest problems currently facing the DOC is the lack of space for the current inmate population. "Currently we have 1,359 inmates backed up in the county jails because we don't have the space for them in the prison system. The average wait for an offender in the county jail is 51 days," said Moon.
With no funding set aside to build new facilities, the DOC has to rely on private prisons, which have also reached their maximum capacities. "There's no political sizzle at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new prison," remarked Hobson.
Corn and Hobson both said they will continue negotiations with the House to draft a budget that serves the needs of Oklahoma's various agencies, including the DOC, though Corn was not optimistic this could be done without going into a special session in June.
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©2006 Oklahoma Publishing Today. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Candidate Profile
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OK-Meacham not letting tobacco tax, rebate woes interfere with election bid
03/30/2006 by Summer L. Holleyman
(LIN) All he ever wanted was to practice law in his father's Clinton, Oklahoma firm, yet somehow he ended up managing more than $4 billion in state revenue.
"The only other public office I've ever run for was the editor of the University of Oklahoma Law Review when I beat out Brad Henry by one vote," said State Treasurer Scott Meacham, who officially announced his candidacy for the office Thursday at the State Capitol.
Meacham has been serving as the state's banker for the past 10 months, after Gov. Brad Henry appointed him to complete the term of former state treasurer Robert Butkin, who resigned from the position last year to become Dean of the Tulsa University law school.
According to Meacham, his experience as a certified financial planner uniquely qualifies him as an expert money manager for the state. He pointed to the $23 million in investment returns that he claims are a result of his efforts to modernize the treasurer's investment portfolio.
Meacham said that, if elected, he will continue to look for more ways to improve the efficiency of the state treasurer's office, including implementing a document imaging system designed to more efficiently store the volumes of information kept by the office.
Additionally, Meacham said he plans to introduce an initiative designed to encourage Oklahomans to achieve financial security through savings. Current law exempts $100 in interest from state taxes for single individuals and $200 for families. Meacham's plan would increase that amount to $1,000 for a single person and $2,000 for families. "The Save Oklahoma initiative will help Oklahomans save money and improve their personal financial integrity," said Meacham.
He also discussed the role of the state treasurer's office in the tax rebate initiative of last year, which has caused confusion to many taxpayers this filing season due to an IRS ruling that required Oklahomans to list the rebate as "other income," thus requiring citizens to use the longer 1040 form as opposed to a 1040EZ.
"Our job was to administer the rebate. I think we did a good job with that - it's something that has never been done before in Oklahoma," Meacham said. "The Legislature asked us to do it and I think my staff did a great and efficient job handling the work."
Meacham also addressed the problems that have arisen as a result of the implementation of the state tobacco tax, which his opponent Howard Barnett claims is a result of Meacham's ineptitude.
"The state treasurer had nothing to do with compacting - that is the sole province of the governor," said Meacham, who said he wishes to keep his campaign positive. "It is very disappointing to me what campaigns have become in this country today. I don't want any mudslinging in my campaign. I'll respond when people make statements about me that are misleading or inaccurate."
Two other candidates have announced their intention to run for Meacham's office - Howard Barnett and Daniel Keating, brother to former Gov. Frank Keating.
Return To Latest News Home Read next story >>
©2006 Oklahoma Publishing Today. All rights reserved.
Your view inside Oklahoma government
Selected News Story
Inside The Capitol
· Home
· Select new topic
· News
· Bills/Legislation
· Capitol Calendar
· Today's Events
· Committees
OK-Meacham not letting tobacco tax, rebate woes interfere with election bid
03/30/2006 by Summer L. Holleyman
(LIN) All he ever wanted was to practice law in his father's Clinton, Oklahoma firm, yet somehow he ended up managing more than $4 billion in state revenue.
"The only other public office I've ever run for was the editor of the University of Oklahoma Law Review when I beat out Brad Henry by one vote," said State Treasurer Scott Meacham, who officially announced his candidacy for the office Thursday at the State Capitol.
Meacham has been serving as the state's banker for the past 10 months, after Gov. Brad Henry appointed him to complete the term of former state treasurer Robert Butkin, who resigned from the position last year to become Dean of the Tulsa University law school.
According to Meacham, his experience as a certified financial planner uniquely qualifies him as an expert money manager for the state. He pointed to the $23 million in investment returns that he claims are a result of his efforts to modernize the treasurer's investment portfolio.
Meacham said that, if elected, he will continue to look for more ways to improve the efficiency of the state treasurer's office, including implementing a document imaging system designed to more efficiently store the volumes of information kept by the office.
Additionally, Meacham said he plans to introduce an initiative designed to encourage Oklahomans to achieve financial security through savings. Current law exempts $100 in interest from state taxes for single individuals and $200 for families. Meacham's plan would increase that amount to $1,000 for a single person and $2,000 for families. "The Save Oklahoma initiative will help Oklahomans save money and improve their personal financial integrity," said Meacham.
He also discussed the role of the state treasurer's office in the tax rebate initiative of last year, which has caused confusion to many taxpayers this filing season due to an IRS ruling that required Oklahomans to list the rebate as "other income," thus requiring citizens to use the longer 1040 form as opposed to a 1040EZ.
"Our job was to administer the rebate. I think we did a good job with that - it's something that has never been done before in Oklahoma," Meacham said. "The Legislature asked us to do it and I think my staff did a great and efficient job handling the work."
Meacham also addressed the problems that have arisen as a result of the implementation of the state tobacco tax, which his opponent Howard Barnett claims is a result of Meacham's ineptitude.
"The state treasurer had nothing to do with compacting - that is the sole province of the governor," said Meacham, who said he wishes to keep his campaign positive. "It is very disappointing to me what campaigns have become in this country today. I don't want any mudslinging in my campaign. I'll respond when people make statements about me that are misleading or inaccurate."
Two other candidates have announced their intention to run for Meacham's office - Howard Barnett and Daniel Keating, brother to former Gov. Frank Keating.
Return To Latest News Home Read next story >>
©2006 Oklahoma Publishing Today. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 25, 2008
On Vegetables and Birth Control Options
I'm standing in line at Wal-mart, the designated meeting place for all the walking cesspools of human folly. I've got my loaded cart in front of me, a surly look pasted carefully on my face, and my shoulders are hunched inward. With my body language, I'm projecting to the world that I don't want to talk to you, so don't fucking look at me and try to engage me in conversation.
This protective posturing never works at Wal-Mart though, and of course some diseased-looking, border-line retarded person gets in line behind me, clutching a box of magnum condoms and a single avocado. I sigh, knowing full well how this will all play out. Within thirty seconds, he proves me right. He directs his comments to the line in general; no one has yet been singled out for some one-on-one time with this relative of cro-magnum man. People like him always test the waters first by making the generic comment about the line or the weather. They're subsequent behavior is based on the response they get from the crowd.
"Dude, this is bullshit. They need more checkers," the skank huffs, as though he's got an important meeting with his lawyers to discuss the buyout of a rival corporation. The rest of us in line carefully continue looking forward. Eye contact would be a disaster at this point. Look this man in the eyes and it would take the SWAT team to extract your ass from his exhortations that NASCAR and pussy are the only things that give his life meaning anymore.
Now, the game gets interesting. He's made his general comment about the length of the line and he's gotten no takers - no sympathetic head nods, no awkward chuckles, no outright agreement. He's got to get aggressive now if he wants to share his story about the enormous shit he just took in Wal-Mart's bathroom, so he scans the line of bent heads, searching for the poor asshole who's too polite to blatantly ignore him.
Invariably, that asshole is me. Something about me just screams, "Hey there crazy person, want to share your story about how you blew snot in some cop's face? Want to tell me how your girlfriend's been licking some other dude's balls? I'm all fucking ears!"
"Hey, you ever seen that movie where the guy gets mad and shoots up a burger place?" he says, his breath coating the back of my exposed neck. A plantation of bacteria, complete with lesser bacteria in the role of slaves, has now sprung up there, along my hair line, I can feel it. I fight the urge to rub my neck vigorously. I also fight the insane urge to turn around. If I turn around now, then I'll walk right into his trap and he'll hold me prisoner with his southern gothic tales of sex, drugs, and women who aren't clean. I'll be giving up myself for the good of the others in the line, which is what Jesus would do, but I think that whole "savior mentality" is bullshit.
"Hey, you know what movie I'm talking about?" he persists, sensing I think that any minute now I'll cave and look at him. He's right. I look at him. I just can't help it. I'm too polite for my own good. I really am like Jesus - not becuase I suffer from delusions that my pot-bellied father is really a God, I just can't help being nice to people.
"I've never seen that movie," I mumble, taking in his appearance with some measure of awe. He looks like a pedophile, the kind that get caught after one lewd incident becuase they're too fucking stupid to get away with actual crimes. He's wearing a fishnet shirt, a dirty pair of carpenter jeans (Old Navy circa 1998) and generic-brand high top sneakers. His hair is long, frizzy, and somehow greasy and dry at the same time. His teeth are crooked and yellow, his skin is sallow and scabby, and he's got some bleading pustule thing nestled up against his left nostril.
"Well, I'm feeling like the guy in that movie right about now. Fuckin' frustrated, man. This line better get movin," he says, shifting his purchases so that the box of magnum condoms is fully visible. At this point, I'm not really sure how the world hasn't self-imploded. String theory, gravity - how has it all held up under this kind of assault on reason? This man, with his bleeding face pustule, still thinks he's a good catch. Worse, he thinks that his pathetic box of magnum condoms is going to lure me into his sweaty embrace. He's reduced our limited exchange, one I wasn't even willing to take part in, to a primitive animal mating ritual where he plays the role of strutting male peacock and I am the female peacock, helpless against his wiles. That box of magnum condoms is his fucking plummage.
"Let's get a moooove on," he says loudly, sighing and stretching his arms up in the air. I catch a glimpse of his belly and notice he's got a rather shaky tattoo of Miss Piggy knee deep in Kermit's crotch. "I got some business to attend to," he says, attempting a British accent and indicating the condoms with his eyes. The avocado, so far, has gone unexplained. I'm fucked now, so I might as well get the whole picture. So, I ask about it, expecting that hard little green vegetable to play some role in his trailor park sex-capades this evening.
"My girl's making Guac. Bitch didn't get enough at the store yesterday," he says, chuckling conspiratorially. You know these female skanks, they just can't add avocados correctly. Tee-hee!
He's also now switched from British to ebonics. Apparantly, when referencing sexual "business," one must assume the air of a randy Englishman, a la Hugh Grant. When referencing one's wife's inabilty to buy all the ingredients for guacamole, one must assume the role of "hardened gangsta thug who don't take no shit from his bitch."
It's my turn to check out now, so I turn around and start stacking my stuff neatly on the conveyer belt. I can feel him back there, watching me, analyzing my purchases, maybe even judging me. I covertly slip my People magazine under a stack of frozen pizzas. For some fucked up reason, I don't want this gene-pool tainter to know I like silly magazines. He doesn't say anything else, and I'm able to check out, get outside, and get home without further harassment form him or any of the other nasty bastards that lurk in the store and the parking lot. But the damage has been done. From now on, every time I see guacamole, I'm going to think of that hairy, fishnet-wearing sexual predator and his magnum condoms.
This protective posturing never works at Wal-Mart though, and of course some diseased-looking, border-line retarded person gets in line behind me, clutching a box of magnum condoms and a single avocado. I sigh, knowing full well how this will all play out. Within thirty seconds, he proves me right. He directs his comments to the line in general; no one has yet been singled out for some one-on-one time with this relative of cro-magnum man. People like him always test the waters first by making the generic comment about the line or the weather. They're subsequent behavior is based on the response they get from the crowd.
"Dude, this is bullshit. They need more checkers," the skank huffs, as though he's got an important meeting with his lawyers to discuss the buyout of a rival corporation. The rest of us in line carefully continue looking forward. Eye contact would be a disaster at this point. Look this man in the eyes and it would take the SWAT team to extract your ass from his exhortations that NASCAR and pussy are the only things that give his life meaning anymore.
Now, the game gets interesting. He's made his general comment about the length of the line and he's gotten no takers - no sympathetic head nods, no awkward chuckles, no outright agreement. He's got to get aggressive now if he wants to share his story about the enormous shit he just took in Wal-Mart's bathroom, so he scans the line of bent heads, searching for the poor asshole who's too polite to blatantly ignore him.
Invariably, that asshole is me. Something about me just screams, "Hey there crazy person, want to share your story about how you blew snot in some cop's face? Want to tell me how your girlfriend's been licking some other dude's balls? I'm all fucking ears!"
"Hey, you ever seen that movie where the guy gets mad and shoots up a burger place?" he says, his breath coating the back of my exposed neck. A plantation of bacteria, complete with lesser bacteria in the role of slaves, has now sprung up there, along my hair line, I can feel it. I fight the urge to rub my neck vigorously. I also fight the insane urge to turn around. If I turn around now, then I'll walk right into his trap and he'll hold me prisoner with his southern gothic tales of sex, drugs, and women who aren't clean. I'll be giving up myself for the good of the others in the line, which is what Jesus would do, but I think that whole "savior mentality" is bullshit.
"Hey, you know what movie I'm talking about?" he persists, sensing I think that any minute now I'll cave and look at him. He's right. I look at him. I just can't help it. I'm too polite for my own good. I really am like Jesus - not becuase I suffer from delusions that my pot-bellied father is really a God, I just can't help being nice to people.
"I've never seen that movie," I mumble, taking in his appearance with some measure of awe. He looks like a pedophile, the kind that get caught after one lewd incident becuase they're too fucking stupid to get away with actual crimes. He's wearing a fishnet shirt, a dirty pair of carpenter jeans (Old Navy circa 1998) and generic-brand high top sneakers. His hair is long, frizzy, and somehow greasy and dry at the same time. His teeth are crooked and yellow, his skin is sallow and scabby, and he's got some bleading pustule thing nestled up against his left nostril.
"Well, I'm feeling like the guy in that movie right about now. Fuckin' frustrated, man. This line better get movin," he says, shifting his purchases so that the box of magnum condoms is fully visible. At this point, I'm not really sure how the world hasn't self-imploded. String theory, gravity - how has it all held up under this kind of assault on reason? This man, with his bleeding face pustule, still thinks he's a good catch. Worse, he thinks that his pathetic box of magnum condoms is going to lure me into his sweaty embrace. He's reduced our limited exchange, one I wasn't even willing to take part in, to a primitive animal mating ritual where he plays the role of strutting male peacock and I am the female peacock, helpless against his wiles. That box of magnum condoms is his fucking plummage.
"Let's get a moooove on," he says loudly, sighing and stretching his arms up in the air. I catch a glimpse of his belly and notice he's got a rather shaky tattoo of Miss Piggy knee deep in Kermit's crotch. "I got some business to attend to," he says, attempting a British accent and indicating the condoms with his eyes. The avocado, so far, has gone unexplained. I'm fucked now, so I might as well get the whole picture. So, I ask about it, expecting that hard little green vegetable to play some role in his trailor park sex-capades this evening.
"My girl's making Guac. Bitch didn't get enough at the store yesterday," he says, chuckling conspiratorially. You know these female skanks, they just can't add avocados correctly. Tee-hee!
He's also now switched from British to ebonics. Apparantly, when referencing sexual "business," one must assume the air of a randy Englishman, a la Hugh Grant. When referencing one's wife's inabilty to buy all the ingredients for guacamole, one must assume the role of "hardened gangsta thug who don't take no shit from his bitch."
It's my turn to check out now, so I turn around and start stacking my stuff neatly on the conveyer belt. I can feel him back there, watching me, analyzing my purchases, maybe even judging me. I covertly slip my People magazine under a stack of frozen pizzas. For some fucked up reason, I don't want this gene-pool tainter to know I like silly magazines. He doesn't say anything else, and I'm able to check out, get outside, and get home without further harassment form him or any of the other nasty bastards that lurk in the store and the parking lot. But the damage has been done. From now on, every time I see guacamole, I'm going to think of that hairy, fishnet-wearing sexual predator and his magnum condoms.
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