Oklahoma representative hosting interim study on criminal justice reform
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Six years ago, Oklahoma voters voted in favor of State Question 780, which reclassifies crimes like drug possession and some thefts from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Its companion bill, SQ 781, was intended to take funds saved from SQ 780 and spend them on substance abuse and mental health services.
It may sound like a great idea – stopping people who commit minor offenses from becoming felons and using the money saved to fund programs to help them, but Oklahoma Rep. JJ Humphrey says the state is falling short in implementing the change.
“Again, what has happened is none of that money has seen or gotten to the original intent," said Humphrey.
Next week, Humphrey is hosting a study. The first goal is to find out how much money is being saved from this State Question being put in place.
“So, coming up with a number that everyone can agree on, and man, if you’ve ever worked in government, coming up with something people can agree on is pretty tough," said Humphrey.
Then, they’ll decide how to spend the money across the state. This could mean treatment centers or mental health facilities.
Humphrey also wants to come up with a way to measure their success.
“We’re going to base it on what’s really going on and then we judge whatever we come up with. The best way to say we’re successful in real numbers say is we’re diverting people, yes, they’re not coming back, yes, we’re stopping crime," said Humphrey.
Humphrey said he agrees with the goal of the state question, just that the execution of it hasn’t been great.