Pubdate: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2002 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 Authors: Bob Doucette and Penny Owen, The Oklahoman Quote: 'Not everyone serving life without parole is convicted of murder. Sixteen inmates serving the sentence are convicted drug dealers, Ballard said.' PAROLE BOARD RESCINDS CONTROVERSIAL POLICY The Pardon and Parole Board has dropped its guidelines for life- without-parole inmates to apply for clemency. In a prepared statement, Board Chairwoman Stephanie Chappelle said Friday that the board withdrew the policy from its list of "special consideration applications" for early parole. Some life-without-parole inmates would have been eligible for release after 15 years in prison under the guidelines. The board's policy was designed to create a process that addressed the loophole in the life-without-parole law. Inmates sentenced to life without parole are not eligible for parole under state law. But a 1987 law does allow these inmates to apply for clemency. The board's decision to drop the guidelines pleased El Reno resident Dan McDaniel, a member of the Homicide Survivors Support Group. "Unless there's a severe injustice where a pardon might be in play, that might be one in a million, the rest of them should die in prison, and I'm glad to see the Pardon and Parole Board has arrived at the right answer," McDaniel said. Dan Mahoney, spokesman for Gov. Frank Keating, said Keating also is happy with the board's recent decision. "Life without parole has to mean just that, life without parole, and we should not make it any easier for those serving life without parole to have their sentences commuted. So the governor is pleased that the board did the right thing." J.D. Daniels, parole board assistant director, said public reaction to the policy had a lot to do with its demise. "A lot of people, especially the victims' families, were upset it was on the application process," he said. McDaniel agreed. "I don't want to take all the blame or all the credit, but I think we stirred up the hornet's nest," he said. "I honestly believe they felt the pressure because it's been applied from several different places. When you're wrong to begin with and the people begin to speak, it's time to listen to the people, and I think that has happened in this case." The policy set down several guidelines in which inmates serving life without parole could apply for clemency. Life-without-parole inmates would not be eligible to apply if they'd already been considered for clemency within 12 months of applying. Inmates cited with misconduct within 12 months of applying also would not be eligible. Although the policy is off the books, the board will discuss it again in April, said board member Currie Ballard. Not everyone serving life without parole is convicted of murder. Sixteen inmates serving the sentence are convicted drug dealers, Ballard said. "I'm personally going to look at that," Ballard said. "Life without parole for drug trafficking? A non-violent offense? We've got murderers on our docket now. I'm looking for some parity." The board's vote to pass the policy in February was 5-0. It was 4-0 to scrap it, with former board member Flint Breckinridge absent. Mahoney said he understands why the board made the policy, but doesn't think the guidelines were appropriate. "The board acted in good faith when they passed the guidelines. ... I don't think they tried to make it easier, but it did send a dangerous message that life without parole was losing its meaning," Mahoney said. Ballard said the controversy surrounding the policy has been fueled by misunderstanding. "It was designed to create a filter in the application process," Ballard said. "We've been inundated with letters from people who want to be released before their docket date." Chappelle's letter said board members often receive between 400 and 800 inmate letters a month, with 20 percent of those coming from prisoners "outside the normal process" for parole or commutation. Those include life-without-parole inmates. Only one Oklahoman serving life without parole has been recommended for clemency. In August 2000, the board voted 3-2 to commute convicted killer Cathy Sue Lamb's life-without-parole sentence to a life sentence. Gov. Keating rejected the recommendation. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake