Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA

ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

If you share our vision for a justice system that restores those impacted by crime and incarceration, please join our growing network of advocates. Together we can inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice reform.

SHARE YOUR STORY

With more than 45 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that recognize the value and potential of every person. We promote reforms that help transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and create safer communities through proportional punishment, constructive corrections culture, and second chances.

While Oklahoma has taken great strides to enact a more restorative approach to crime and incarceration, more work is essential to create a more just system in the Sooner state. In 2023, we intend to work to reduce the use of court fines and fees, improve parole and probation supervision practices, expand prison programming, and create more fairness and transparency in state sentencing.

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WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

TELL YOUR STORY

Have you or a loved one struggled because of your criminal record? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.


SHARE

LEARN MORE

Read about how one Justice Ambassador has used her voice to raise awareness for the barriers to work that men and women face due to having a criminal record.


READ

ADVOCATE

We’re seeking Justice Advocates to build relationships with their state legislators, organize events, and promote justice reform.


APPLY

YOUR STATE STATISTICS

21,653 Adults in Prison

1,967 Minors in Juvenile Facilities

16,524 Adults on Probation

1,764 Adults on Parole

23,155.60 Cost of Incarceration per Adult Prisoner

142,798.95 Cost of Incarceration per Juvenile

Governor: Republican

Senate: Republican

House: Republican

In Session: Feb 6–May 26

PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN OKLAHOMA

Prison Fellowship has been actively engaging in legislation to increase second chances for more Oklahomans. The last few years, we’ve worked with lawmakers, partners, faith leaders, and grassroots voices, to increase opportunities for men and women with a criminal record through reducing overuse of driver’s license suspensions, expanding access to licensed work, and assisting those coming out of prison with obtaining identification cards. Since 2016, Oklahoma has also made key progress in ensuring fairer, more consistent punishments for drug and property crimes and expanding safe alternatives to incarceration.

SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!

Grounded in biblical values and signed by more than 12,000 Christians and prominent faith leaders, the Justice Declaration calls the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and overincarceration.

SIGN THE DECLARATION

IN THE NEWS

RAISE YOUR VOICE

We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today.

FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES

Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!

ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT

The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!

TAKE ACTION

ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE

Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.

TAKE ACTION

UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES

The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.

TAKE ACTION

*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.