CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published: 18-Nov-2010

House Speaker-elect
Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) will participate in a panel on corrections issues at
the annual judicial conference, including a discussion of the “Women in
Recovery” program. The session will be 2 p.m. today (Thursday, November 18) at
the Tulsa Downtown Doubletree Hotel, 616 W. Seventh Street.

This year, Steele
authored House Bill 2998, a law that encourages re-entry and diversion programs
as opposed to jail time for nonviolent female offenders with children in order
to allow them to receive rehabilitative services while maintaining contact with
their families.

Steele plans to make
corrections reform a priority in the coming legislative session.

The incoming speaker
reflected on length on corrections policy and funding challenges in an
exclusive interview last week with CapitolBeatOK.

“Those who do wrong
must face consequences, but I am convinced based on evidence-based practices
that we can get better outcomes utilizing community-based services instead of
incarceration for many nonviolent offenders,” Steele said.

“By doing so, we can
make better use of limited tax dollars, do a better job of rehabilitating
offenders, and ensure prison space is available for the most dangerous
criminals in our society. In the coming legislative session, we will focus on
advancing more efficient corrections policies while promoting and protecting
public safety,” Steele concluded.