Oklahoma House Bill HB3305

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Prisons and reformatories; directing the Pardon and Parole Board to establish Conviction Integrity Review Unit; effective date.

Impact

The bill would empower inmates sentenced to death to petition for a review of their conviction if they present plausible claims of actual innocence supported by new information or evidence. The Review Unit will be responsible for investigating these claims and, upon completion, will present its findings and recommendations to the Pardon and Parole Board. This process is designed to enhance the integrity of the judicial system and provide an avenue for addressing potential miscarriages of justice, especially in cases where the stakes are life and death.

Summary

House Bill 3305 establishes a Conviction Integrity Review Unit within the Pardon and Parole Board aimed at addressing the convictions of inmates who have received death sentences. The primary goal of this unit is to review claims of actual innocence submitted by these inmates. This legislative effort is significant as it seeks to ensure justice by allowing for the reconsideration of potentially wrongful convictions in capital cases, which are among the most severe within the criminal justice system.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB 3305 may revolve around the implications of creating a new unit focused specifically on the death penalty. Critics could argue about the resources allocated for this new unit and whether it might detract from other important areas of the criminal justice system. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the standards for what constitutes a plausible claim of innocence and the potential for abuse of the petitioning process. Overall, the bill reflects an ongoing national conversation around capital punishment and the need for mechanisms to prevent wrongful executions.