Brenda Warren, mother of a DOC inmate eligible for release:

“My son received commutation on December 11, 2019 from the Pardon and Parole Board, taking his sentence from 32 years to 15 years. He could have been released on the same day. But due to the fact that the Governor has failed to sign any recommendations for parole or commutation since January, my son is still awaiting release.

He has been proven to be a ‘trusted inmate,’ which allows him to work in the Administration offices at the prison for the Unit Managers. This is a big honor, or at least was until COVID-19 created a big chance of him being infected. He and his peers have been told they will go into an old gymnasium on the property and social distancing will be initiated if they are exposed to the virus. They have not been given any additional ways to sanitize. Imagine how that brings morale down. Another important issue is that signing these commutations would have saved the state of Oklahoma almost $900,000 in the month of December.”

Kris Steele, Executive Director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform:​

“Incarcerated Oklahomans should not be disregarded during this public health emergency and, in fact, are at a higher risk to contract COVID-19. Prisons do not operate in a vacuum. A virus like COVID-19 can be introduced at any time and travel through a prison population very quickly. Our state’s history of prison overcrowding exacerbates the risk.

Governor Stitt has an opportunity to demonstrate continued leadership in being proactive, smart and compassionate in taking up these commutations, which are recommended from the Pardon and Parole Board, to help flatten the curve. These individuals have already been thoroughly vetted and recommended by the board as deserving candidates for safe release.

We’re pleased to see that actions like providing inmates with free antibacterial soap are being implemented, but more needs to be done. Signing these commutations is a vital step in giving the Department of Corrections more resources and space to help fight what appears to be an inevitable COVID-19 outbreak. We appreciate the Governor’s attention to this issue.”

D’ Marria Monday, Director of Block Builderz:

“Overcrowded prisons are more susceptible to an uncontrolled outbreak due to unsanitary conditions. Harsh chemicals are considered contraband, therefore there is not a way to truly disinfect the prisons. Hand sanitizers are mostly alcohol content and are considered contraband. Without the proper protections in place, a probable outbreak of COVID-19 is imminent.

Prison medical services are understaffed and lacking the capacity to handle an outbreak within the prison. The incarcerated population is vulnerable to staff entering and leaving the prison who may possibly be carrying the virus. It is our duty to protect all Oklahomans, especially the vulnerable incarcerated population. We must value every life.

There are incarcerated people who have made it through the commutation process and are awaiting the governor’s signature to be released. We urge you to address this crisis with compassion by making all efforts to reduce the prison population. Humanity is for all!”

Stephen Galoob, Chapman Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law:​

“Governor Stitt has gained well-deserved national attention for his use of the clemency power. Since taking office, he has commuted over 900 sentences, almost all involving nonviolent drug and property crimes. As a result of his leadership, Oklahoma’s commutation process has become fairer and more effective, a model for how the venerable power of clemency can be used to confront our incarceration crisis.

During this public health crisis, however, Governor Stitt can use his clemency power to do even greater good for Oklahomans. In part, this involves little more than carrying out his end of the commutation process. Since December 2019, Oklahoma’s Pardon and

Parole Board has recommended commutations for over 280 people through its standard procedures. Each of these recommendations involved an extensive inquiry by professional investigators into the applicant’s history and prospects for future success, as well as a public hearing at which the commutation application was commented on by law enforcement and considered by the Pardon and Parole Board. Nearly every one of these sentences involved nonviolent drug or property crimes.

In addition, the Pardon and Parole Board has used an accelerated process to recommend the commutation of over 300 additional drug and property crime sentences that would be considered misdemeanors under current law. If Governor Stitt chose to exercise his constitutional authority, then he could reduce Oklahoma’s prison population by several hundred people tomorrow. Because prison conditions are so vulnerable to the spread of Covid-19, such a decision would grant a lifeline to many of those who are already in line for clemency.”

Rev. Shannon Fleck, Executive Director of Oklahoma Conference of Churches:

“It is vital that the state of Oklahoma take this step to help keep people safe and healthy. It is often very easy to forget about the incarcerated during times of crisis, but every person deserves to be treated with dignity and worth, and if the state can help prevent illness for these individuals it absolutely should as soon as possible.”