Two Oklahoma legislators have launched a bipartisan effort to make State Question 780 retroactive. The bill, which voters approved three years ago, reclassified felony drug possession and some felony property crimes as misdemeanors.
The passing of the measure has helped to ease the massive prison overcrowding problem in the Sooner State.
Now, as StateImpact Oklahoma reports, if 780 is declared to work retroactively, the change would reduce sentences for thousands of inmates in state prisons. The change would affect every prisoner who is now being held for longer terms under the old rules.
The bill is being sponsored by Republican House Majority Leader Jon Echols and Democrat Jason Dunnington, both of Oklahoma City.