Oklahoma House Bill HB2140

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/13/23

Caption

Prisons and reformatories; providing for the deduction of credits for inmates who served in the Armed Forces; codification; effective date.

Impact

If enacted, HB2140 would influence the operations of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections by codifying the award of credits to veterans. Notably, the bill also explicitly prohibits the Department from revoking these credits once awarded, which reflects a significant shift in how inmate benefits are managed. This change may lead to adjustments in inmate rehabilitation programs and overall management strategies within state correctional facilities.

Summary

House Bill 2140, introduced by McDugle, focuses on reforming the policies surrounding inmates who have served in the Armed Forces. The primary provision of the bill is that every inmate who has been honorably discharged from active military service, or the Oklahoma National Guard, is entitled to a deduction of up to one hundred credits based on their service. This aims to acknowledge the sacrifices made by veterans and offer them incentivized benefits within the correctional system.

Contention

The bill has generated discussions around the fairness and feasibility of its implementation. Supporters argue that it provides much-deserved recognition and benefits to those who have served the country, which may aid in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. However, there may be concerns regarding how this could impact the overall prison population management, especially regarding resource allocation and the fairness toward non-veteran inmates. There may also be questions about the potential financial ramifications for the state in terms of the costs associated with granting these additional credits.