When One’s Missing: The Unseen Consequences of Oklahoma's Parole Board Absences

In Oklahoma, the stakes for prisoners seeking parole just went sky-high—for all the wrong reasons. A recent analysis reveals that when even one member of the five-member Pardon and Parole Board is absent, the odds of releasing prisoners drop dramatically. In April 2025, Chairman Kevin Buchanan’s absence led to a mere 8.8% of prisoners advancing to the next stage of hearings, which is less than half the average for the year.

Critics, including lawmakers, have expressed concern about this glaring issue during a recent interim study meant to reform the parole system. Rep. Danny Williams highlighted the inherent disadvantage faced when the board isn’t full, raising questions about how fair these hearings really are. Some proposed solutions look at creating a full-time board and incentivizing attendance through salary increases, but they’ve struggled to make headway in the legislature.

It’s clear that addressing this issue isn’t just about numbers—it’s about lives hanging in the balance. With recent historical turmoil in the board and its fluctuating member roster, the road to reliable parole rates may be a long one. Will these politicians get their act together before more inmates are left in limbo? Only time will tell!