Oklahoma – Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt defended the state’s criminal justice system following a data release from the State Attorney General, saying the information was being misinterpreted and did not reflect wrongdoing by state agencies.
“This latest data dump by the State Attorney General is a call log of lifelong friends, dating back to Norman High, who talk about football, hunting, and their kids’ schooling,” Stitt said.
“What this isn’t is favoritism. Oklahoma’s criminal justice system is not like the federal government’s. A governor cannot single-handedly release an inmate from prison or issue a pardon. It’s why every pardon must first go through a constitutionally protected board before it comes to my desk for consideration,” he added.
Stitt criticized the Attorney General’s handling of the information, arguing it was being used for political purposes.
“Don’t let the State Attorney General bamboozle you during an election year when he is on the ballot for governor,” he said.
The governor also pointed to findings from a grand jury, saying the review did not identify wrongdoing by the state Department of Corrections in how it managed its home monitoring program.
According to Stitt, the grand jury concluded that the agency operated within the law in its handling of inmates placed in alternative supervision programs, even if some members of the jury disagreed with existing statutes.
“The grand jury found no wrongdoing where the law vests power over inmates — the Department of Corrections,” Stitt said. “The grand jury said clearly it found this state agency upheld the law with the home monitoring program for inmates with certain convictions, even if the grand jury disagreed with the law.”
The governor also acknowledged public concern over the home monitoring program, particularly in cases involving DUI offenses that resulted in injury. He said the controversy surrounding the program prompted legislative action during the most recent session.
“What this case did was expose that Oklahomans are not okay with the home-arrest program when it comes to DUI with bodily harm. The Legislature acted and changed the law this session,” Stitt said.
Stitt emphasized his support for tightening the policy moving forward.
“I support ending the program for such charges,” he said. “On the day it happened, I communicated that I was not ok with this inmate’s release, but the agency was following the law.”
He also referenced the impact on victims, specifically mentioning Michaela Borrego.
“Michaela Borrego’s life is forever changed,” Stitt said. “Drunk driving does not belong in the State of Oklahoma and will not be tolerated in our justice system.”
The comments come amid heightened political scrutiny between state officials over criminal justice policies, inmate release decisions, and the use of alternative supervision programs.
The Attorney General’s office has not publicly responded in detail to the governor’s latest remarks, but the dispute highlights ongoing tensions between state leadership over oversight of the criminal justice system.
As the debate continues, lawmakers are expected to further review policies related to home monitoring programs and eligibility criteria for non-prison supervision, particularly in cases involving violent or DUI-related offenses.
For now, the governor maintains that Oklahoma’s system is operating within the law while acknowledging that changes may be necessary going forward to address public concern.
Gov. Stitt defends Oklahoma criminal justice system after attorney general data release, says “don’t let the State Attorney General bamboozle you during an election year”
