This bill amends Section 37 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to the capacity of correctional facilities and the management of inmate transfers. It establishes a mandatory process for transferring inmates from county jails to state penal facilities when correctional facilities reach maximum capacity. The Pardon and Parole Board is required to consider nonviolent offenders for parole if they are within six months of their scheduled release. Additionally, the bill allows county sheriffs or jail trust administrators to enter into agreements with the Department of Corrections to house overflow inmates, with reimbursement for housing costs set at a negotiated per diem rate.

The bill also outlines the procedures for the transfer and reception of inmates, including the requirement for the Department of Corrections to receive certified copies of judgments and sentences from county courts within five business days. It mandates that transfers occur within five business days after the Department receives the necessary documentation, and it specifies that the Department will be responsible for housing costs until the inmate is transferred. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for notifying the Department when a county jail reaches capacity and establishes a policy for scheduling inmate transfers, ensuring that the process is efficient and timely. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

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