Oklahoma prisons have stopped widespread COVID testing even as cases spike again across the state
The Department of Corrections does not follow most federal guidelines for testing and masking for staff
In a historic vote, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommends commuting Julius Jones’ sentence from death to life
It was the first time the board has held a commutation hearing for an inmate facing the death penalty. Now, as Jones faces execution in as little as two months, his fate lies with Gov. Kevin Stitt, who must ultimately decide whether to commute his sentence.
Six years have passed since Oklahoma conducted an execution. Now it wants to put seven men to death in five months
Oklahoma hasn’t attempted an execution since a series of bungled attempts ushered in a six-year moratorium on capital punishment. Now it says it’s ready to execute seven men in three-week intervals beginning as early as next month.
IMPACT: A judge has ordered the release of video from a man’s fatal struggle with jailers after we sued
For more than a year, Pottawatomie County officials have denied access to the records in connection with the death of Ronald Gene Given.
Attorneys for Julius Jones believe investigation by Pardon and Parole Board recommends Jones not be executed
Jones’ attorneys believe the Pardon and Parole Board investigator recommended Jones have his sentence commuted. The board’s attorney says the “investigator recommendation” isn’t actually a recommendation.
Five years after voters approved landmark criminal justice reforms, counties are still waiting for mental health funding
The money Oklahoma saved from sending fewer people to prison was supposed to finance county mental health programs. But the Legislature has never sent any money to the fund and no rules have been written for how the money can be spent.
Oklahoma City will mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for police and fire recruits
Oklahoma’s largest city has not yet mandated vaccination for existing police officers and firefighters, which would require negotiations with their unions.
Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are driving a spike in Oklahoma deaths
State investigators have found nearly two dozen fatal overdoses over the past 15 months tied to fake oxycodone.
