Pardon and Parole Board Seeks Technology Upgrades, Reports Process Improvements

Kyle Counts, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, told the Senate subcommittee that the board is requesting a flat budget for FY27 while pursuing internal modernization and service improvements.

Counts outlined operational changes the board has implemented: a new, largely digital pardon process, a member SharePoint providing same-day access to dockets and investigator reports, and an offender-management rollout that reduced release-preparation time from as long as 14–30 days to roughly five days in some instances. He said the board has a total of 23.4 FTEs and reported that it had eliminated its vacancies earlier that month.

Why it matters: the board’s changes are intended to speed case processing, improve accuracy and access to materials for board members, and reduce administrative costs tied to outdated, paper-heavy workflows. Counts said shifting victim notifications from mailed letters to automated text and email would require statutory updates but would improve speed and accuracy of notifications.

Committee exchange: Senators asked about board member workload, meeting duration (two to three days monthly, with members spending 25–30 hours weekly preparing materials) and potential supplemental funding if pending bills increase board member pay. Counts said the board reviews every investigative report and is evaluating supplemental requests tied to any salary changes.

What’s next: the board will provide additional fiscal analyses if bills that change board compensation pass. The subcommittee may consider any requested supplemental funds during the appropriations review.