Keaton Ross of Oklahoma Watch
Keaton Ross is a Report for America corps member who covers prison conditions and criminal justice issues for Oklahoma Watch. Contact him at (405) 831-9753 or Kross@Oklahomawatch.org.
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Shannon Hanchett’s physical and mental health deteriorated rapidly after being booked into the jail, the lawsuit claims, noting that medical staff did not evaluate her for more than 72 hours after arriving at the jail. -
Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility staff found inmate Raymond Bailey dead in a trash can on Oct. 26, prompting questions of oversight and security at the state’s last remaining private prison. -
The administrative rules change, which must receive final approval from the Legislature to take effect, requires prisoners to serve the lesser of five years in prison or one-third of their sentence to become eligible for commutation. -
Election reform advocates fear dark money spending will once again accelerate during the 2024 election cycle. -
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is considering an administrative rule change that would place several restrictions on when Oklahoma prisoners may seek commutation. -
Oklahoma’s prison population rose 2.3% from late 2021 to 2022, a notable shift after years of steady decline. -
With less than five months until Oklahoma’s presidential primary elections, former President Donald Trump has built a significant fundraising advantage among Republican candidates. -
While the corrections department does not suspect the deaths are heat-related, prisoner advocates say the situation highlights a need for universal air conditioning in Oklahoma’s prison system -
Dozens of the state’s city and county jails have repeatedly failed inspections since 2020, endangering the safety of detainees and highlighting flaws in the state’s mental health response. -
Oklahoma lobbyists have spent nearly $380,000 this year on gifts, meals and beverages for state legislators and other elected officials through May, a 42% increase over the same period two years ago.
