Power Play: Who Really Decides Medical Parole in Oklahoma?

In a significant ruling that sheds light on Oklahoma’s complex penal system, the Attorney General’s office has confirmed that only the Department of Corrections director can refer prisoners for medical parole. This decision stems from a request made by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board after James Havens, a terminally ill inmate, claimed he was getting the runaround regarding his parole application. With just a whopping 12 referrals on the docket since 2021, this ruling raises the question: Is the system failing those who desperately need it?

Since 2009, the state’s prison population has been aging, leading to increasing calls for reform. Yet, instead of improving access to medical parole, the number of referrals has sharply declined. The law adopted this past summer—and the additional bureaucratic layers—have not made things any easier for those eligible for medical consideration. After all, if doctors say someone qualifies for medical parole, shouldn’t they be given a ticket to freedom rather than a longer waiting game?

Potential changes loom on the horizon, as legislative proposals could shift the power dynamics further. For instance, Senator Darcy Jech is advocating for the authority to recommend medical parole to shift from the DOC director to the agency’s medical director. One can only wonder how these shifts will influence the future for inmates seeking essential medical care. Will this be a step toward fairness or just another twist in an already tangled web?