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September 18, 2013
5-day Forecast Tulsa World  
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Oklahoma National Guard defies Pentagon on same-sex benefit requests

In a policy reversal, the Oklahoma National Guard will no longer process benefit requests from same-sex couples after being notified by Gov. Mary Fallin's office that doing so violates state law banning gay marriage.

 
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OU releases 2014 nonconference football schedule

“We have always strived to feature marquee non-conference opponents on the Oklahoma schedule,” said OU athletics director Joe Castiglione said in a statement.

 
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Exporting from Tulsa area grows at fast pace

In just 12 years, natural gas plant builder Thomas Russell Co. grew from a Tulsa startup to a $750 million company.

 
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Funding first step in justice initiative

The incarceration rate in Oklahoma is among the highest in the nation with approximately 26,000 people behind bars at any given time.

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REVIEW: Steak Stuffers USA

The signature item is the Philly cheesesteak sandwich made with a uniquely American ingredient, Cheez Whiz, and the owners immigrated here from Philadelphia.

 
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Women In Prison

Patricia Spottedcrow once faced 12 years in prison, but on the morning she was released on parole, it took less than 20 minutes to walk free.

She was released on Nov. 30 after completing the community corrections-level portion of her sentence required by Gov. Mary Fallin as a condition of her parole.

Spottedcrow's 12-year prison sentence for selling $31 worth of marijuana garnered widespread attention after her story was featured in a 2011 Tulsa World series on women in prison.

Patricia Spottedcrow sold $31 in marijuana to an informant and received 12 years in prison.

She was one of the women profiled in the series that investigated why Oklahoma is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the number of women in prison.

The state incarcerates 134 women per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 69 per 100,000, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. While the number of women entering Oklahoma’s prisons each year has remained somewhat stable in recent years – 1,284 in 2009 – the number of women in the system has grown to a high for the decade as tougher sentencing laws have passed.

The cost to taxpayers is high, up to $43 per inmate per day at one facility. Meanwhile, experts say the children of female prisoners are at risk to continue the cycle.

In 2011, the Tulsa World partnered with Oklahoma Watch -- an independent, non-profit investigative reporting team -- to explore the issue of female incarceration.



HEADLINES
Women in Recovery program honors 15 new graduates

Women in Recovery program honors 15 new graduates   1/16/2013

Cheri Brackett was haunted by what she saw the first time she visited the trailer where the meth she consumed was manufactured.
Ginnie Graham: Telling Patricia Spottedcrow's story

Ginnie Graham: Telling Patricia Spottedcrow's story   12/5/2012

Meeting Patricia Spottedcrow two years ago was by chance.
Oklahoma prison system out of beds for female offenders

Oklahoma prison system out of beds for female offenders   12/1/2012

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is out of beds for female offenders, DOC Director Justin Jones said Friday.
Patricia Spottedcrow paroled early in 12-year sentence for $31 bag of marijuana

Patricia Spottedcrow paroled early in 12-year sentence for $31 bag of marijuana   11/30/2012

The four reasons Patricia Spottedcrow most wanted out of prison were back in her arms Thursday afternoon, after their mother was released on parole.
Inmates receive GEDs at graduation ceremony behind bars

Inmates receive GEDs at graduation ceremony behind bars   10/26/2012

Dawn Bjornson gave her valedictorian speech in stops and starts Thursday, trying to hold back tears between deep breaths.
Inmate held for $31 marijuana sale bounced around amid confusion on parole status

Inmate held for $31 marijuana sale bounced around amid confusion on parole status   8/30/2012

An inmate in a high-profile case spent much of Tuesday on a prison bus, as officers drove her from Oklahoma City to Taft and then back because of confusion over her parole status.
Fallin grants early release to Spottedcrow

Fallin grants early release to Spottedcrow   7/21/2012

Gov. Mary Fallin has agreed to early release for inmate Patricia Spottedcrow, a young mother whose story of a lengthy sentence for a small marijuana deal was featured in a Tulsa World series on Women in Prison.
Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommends early parole for Spottedcrow, sentenced for selling $31 worth of marijuana

Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommends early parole for Spottedcrow, sentenced for selling $31 worth of marijuana   4/19/2012

Grassroots support may evolve into early parole for a Kingfisher mother who was handed a strict prison sentence for a first-time offense of selling $31 worth of marijuana.
Oklahoma parole board agrees to give Spottedcrow, guilty seller of $31 in pot, early hearing

Oklahoma parole board agrees to give Spottedcrow, guilty seller of $31 in pot, early hearing   2/16/2012

A Kingfisher woman serving an eight-year prison sentence on a first-time offense for selling $31 in marijuana is getting a chance at parole after the board unanimously agreed to hear her case early.
Mom of 4 reflects on first year in prison for $31 pot sale

Mom of 4 reflects on first year in prison for $31 pot sale   12/26/2011

Wearing prison-issue yellow clothes, Patricia Spottedcrow reflects on her first year in prison through the lens of tears and determination.
15 graduate from drug diversion program Women in Recovery

15 graduate from drug diversion program Women in Recovery   12/15/2011

Two years ago Erin Haddock was facing 10 years in prison for endeavoring to manufacture meth.

District Attorney wants notice before inmates released with GPS monitors   11/1/2011

A new law speeds up the time frame in which inmates become eligible for serving time via GPS ankle monitors, but Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris said his office was not given sufficient notice of the inmates scheduled for release from prison Tuesday.
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RESOURCES
The Tulsa World is a media partner with Oklahoma Watch, an independent, nonprofit, investigative and in-depth reporting team that collaborates with other news organizations and higher education to produce journalism in the public interest.

Oklahoma Watch's first project is looking into why Oklahoma sends more women to prison than any other state on a per capita basis.

2009 Female Offender Report from the Department of Corrections
TIMELINE
GRAPHICS
State female incarceration rates

County female incarceration rates

Drug court participation





Courtesy of the Department of Corrections
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