Transformational Justice Act Passes House

Legislation encouraging faith-based groups and other volunteer organizations to take a stronger role in rehabilitating Oklahoma inmates passed a vote of the State House on Tuesday with broad bipartisan support.

House Bill 2101, the Transformational Justice Act, authored by Speaker Lance Cargill, would encourage state prisons to partner with faith-based, community and voluntary organizations to help inmates rejoin society and reduce the rate of repeat offenders. "The state needs to be supporting these groups and their efforts in every way possible," said Cargill (R-Harrah). "These groups help inmates get back on their feet and become constructive members of society instead of criminals, and this bill removes roadblocks that these groups face as they seek to serve."

The measure, part of the Safe Families Platform of the 2007 House Republican Year of Ideas Agenda, passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 93-4.

Cargill said faith-based groups can offer unique tools and assistance that can not only help shrink recidivism rates at Oklahoma prisons, but also change inmates' lives for the better. "I think faith plays an important role in a person's life," Cargillsaid. "It can fill a hole that no government program can replace. Inmates in prison need human contact, and many of them don't have families. They can't be loved by a government program, but they can be loved by people. These private, faith-based groups can help inmates find that connection they need in order to turn their life around. It's important that these groups not have to face any unreasonable barriers, and this bill helps to tear down those walls."

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