oKLAHOMA cHAPTER
Mass Incarceration
Oklahoma continues to be one of the top states leading the nation in incarceration. 993 per 100,000 people are incarcerated.
Death Penalty
Oklahoma has the highest number of executions per capita. Oklahoma was the first jurisdiction to use lethal injection as a method of execution. There have been 3 consecutive botched executions and continues to use the same drug cocktail.
Wrongful Convictions
Since 1993, at least 38 people have had their convictions overturned and have been exonerated by Oklahoma courts. There is a backlog of over 800 people seeking assistance for wrongful convictions.
Juvenile Offenders
There are currently 190 juvenile offenders incarcerated in Oklahoma, who have served over 20 years.
Excessive Sentencing
Oklahomans spend up to 70% longer in prison then the national average. This is despite research showing long sentences do nothing to deter crime.
Felony Murder Rule
In Oklahoma, a defendant who was involved in the commission of a felony can be charged with murder for any deaths that occur during the felony, even if the defendant was not directly responsible for the death.