Great Debates Panel to Tackle Criminal Justice Reform Published September 23, 2019

Rose State College’s ongoing Great Debates panel series hopes to address a popular and controversial topic of conversation in Oklahoma Politics. “Criminal Justice Reform in Oklahoma: Past, Present and Future” will bring together a diverse group of individuals as they discuss criminal justice reform in Oklahoma. This panel discussion, which will be the only Great Debates panel held during the Fall 2019 semester, will take place on October 24.

Criminal justice reform is an issue plaguing the State of Oklahoma, according to Dr. Emily Stacey, Rose State College Political Science professor, and coordinator of the Great Debates panel. "Criminal Justice Reform is a crucial topic. For instance, Oklahoma sits at the top in things like female incarceration rates, and then we have these new policies like Medical Marijuana. How are we policing that? We have a student population that wants the answers to these topics.”

Stacey added that she is proud of the panel assembled for the debate. “We’ve got a pretty esteemed panel, they all bring something different to the discussion.” Joining the discussion will be Kathryn Brewer, Assistant Executive Coordinator of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, Kris Steele, Former Oklahoma Speaker of the House and current Executive Director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, Dr. Trina Hope, Professor of Criminology at the University of Oklahoma, and Brandon Clabes, Chief of Police for the City of Midwest City.

The Great Debates brings together experts from academia, government, politics, and industry to discuss topics of concern facing our state, our nation, and our world. The panel is presented by the Social Sciences Division of Rose State College and sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies and McGraw-Hill Education.

"Criminal Justice Reform in Oklahoma: Past, Present and Future" will be held October 24, 2019, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Rose State College Community Learning Center Auditorium. The event is free to attend, and light refreshments will be served.

For questions about the Rose State College Great Debates Panel Series, contact Dr. Emily Stacey (estacey@rose.edu).