Oklahoma’s Justice System is Broken

OCJR combines the power of research-backed reforms and a network of policy makers to create a system that will stop the pain inflicted on Oklahomans by an ineffective legal system.

3rd

highest incarceration rate

1 out of 3

relationships experience domestic violence

Our Mission

Serve as a catalyst for systemic change in Oklahoma’s criminal legal system to promote just and appropriate accountability while reducing mass incarceration and its generational harm to families.

What we've accomplished

Oklahoma’s prison population has decreased by 21% since 2016, and crime rates have fallen along with it.

What we’re working on

There is still work to be done to make Oklahoma communities safer, save taxpayer dollars, and improve justice system outcomes.

Reforms passed:

SQ 780

Helped reduce Oklahoma's prison population by 5,000 since 2016, and Oklahoma has closed four prisons.

SQ 781

Investments in community mental health and addiction treatment.

HB 3316

Oklahoma's Clean Slate law.

Reducing Sentences:

Oklahomans currently serve...

90%

longer in prison for theft and fraud,

105%

longer for drug trafficking, and

115%

longer for motor vehicle theft than the national average.

$1B +

in prison cost saved since 2016

$230M

could be saved by reducing sentences of surrounding states

Join the Conversation

OCJR publishes non-partisan, research-backed media that empowers Oklahomans with actionable information and resources.

Beyond Bars: Exploring Alternatives to Incarceration for Nonviolent Offenders
Featured Article

Beyond Bars: Exploring Alternatives to Incarceration for Nonviolent Offenders

Traditional incarceration for nonviolent offenses is proving ineffective, leading to overcrowded prisons and high recidivism rates. Alternatives to incarceration, such as diversion programs, probation, and drug courts, are gaining traction for their focus on rehabilitation and community reintegration. These approaches address the root causes of criminal behavior and offer significant cost savings while enhancing public safety. By embracing these alternatives, we can reduce prison populations, lower recidivism rates, and create a more just and equitable criminal justice system.

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Stay informed on the latest updates in Oklahoma criminal justice reform.

Building a United Coalition

We’ve built a coalition of legislators and policy organizations that play a vital role in putting proven criminal justice alternatives into action.

As a nonpartisan organization, we identify common ground in the legislative space and alert our coalition partners to it. With one ear to the state senate floor and the other to the criminal legal reform national stage, OCJR unites network partners in our state and beyond to draft data-driven policies that better protect and serve Oklahoma communities and maximize the impact of taxpayer dollars.

How can I get involved?

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