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Oklahoma Will Need 3 New Prisons to Handle Growth

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Recent data from a task force shows Oklahoma's prison population will increase by 25 percent during the next decade if no state legislative action is taken.

According to the Oklahoma Justice Reform Task Force, Oklahoma's current prison population greatly exceeds capacity and three more prisons will need to be built or contracted to handle the projected growth.

The Oklahoman reports the task force has been developing data-driven policy recommendations to improve public safety, control corrections spending and improve recidivism rates for consideration during the 2017 legislative session. The task force includes law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, members of the business community, victim advocates, mental health and addiction professionals, and legislators.

Gov. Mary Fallin says the group will make its final report before the start of the 2017 legislative session.