The Bureau of Justice Statistics found Oklahoma has the 4th highest incarceration rate in the nation.
Representative Danny Williams, a Republican from the 28 th District, conducted a study at the state capitol to discuss ways to rethink prison sentences.
“If I hadn’t been forgiven in my life, I wouldn’t be sitting here today,” said Williams.
However, the messages designed to be heard by lawmakers during this study did not get a large audience.
When Colleen McCarty, Executive Director for the Tulsa-based non-profit organization Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Crime and Justice, gave her report, only Williams and Representative J.J. Humphrey (R-District 19) were in attendance.
“You don’t see a lot of my colleagues here,” said Williams, looking at the empty chairs. “This is not a vogue issue, this is not a politically positive issue, this is hard work.”
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When asked why Oklahoma tends to give longer sentences, which, according to research are getting longer, McCarty said she believed the state relies too heavily on prison, rather than funding treatment options.