Oklahoma House votes to allow elderly prisoners parole

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma House passes legislation to allow elderly state prisoners to request parole hearing

Legislation that would allow prisoners age 65 and older to request a parole hearing has been approved by the Oklahoma House.

House members voted 54-36 for the measure Thursday and sent it to the Senate for consideration.

The measure by Rep. Jeannie McDaniel of Tulsa would create the Parole of Aging Prisoners Act to allow aging prisoners to request parole after completing 10 years or one-third of their prison sentence. The Pardon and Parole Board would recommend parole only if the board finds that the inmate does not pose a risk to public safety.

McDaniel says allowing elderly prisoners who don't pose a risk to public safety to be released from prison on parole will free up some of the state's crowded prison cells.

___

Online:

House Bill 1056: http://bit.ly/ZrQjZg

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.