Opinion ID: 161455
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Facial Challenge to the Amended Statute

Text: 10 When viewed within the whole context of Oklahoma's parole regulations, the statute at issue in this case does not facially increase the likelihood of punishment. First, it does not change the length of the sentence in any way. Second, it does not affect the timing of the initial parole consideration, only of subsequent parole consideration dates. Cf. Morales, 514 U.S. at 511 (noting that the California statute did not affect the initial parole consideration date). Third, the amended statute provides that reconsideration cannot occur within three years of the previous denial unless otherwise directed by the Pardon and Parole Board . . . . Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 57, 332.7(D) (West 1999). This language clearly reserves the Board's discretion to reconsider parole before the three-year period has expired. Cf. Garner, 529 U.S. at 254 (considering the parole board's discretion to determine how often to set parole reconsideration dates). Fourth, Policy 004 of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board Policy & Procedures Manual indicates that the Board has the authority to defer reconsideration for up to five years, but that it can modify parole consideration dates if the Board receives new information. Cf. id. (considering the parole board's discretion to expedite parole reviews to consider new information). 11 Taken together, these factors indicate that under the Oklahoma parole system, inmates are not subject to a longer punishment because of the amended statute. The amendment only allows less frequent parole reconsideration dates in situations where the Parole Board determines that more frequent reconsideration is unnecessary. This is insufficient to violate the ex post facto prohibition. 12