Alva Review-Courier -

In one fell swoop, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board on Wednesday approved 73 inmates for a new type of parole intended to help alleviate the state’s overcrowded prisons.

The parole process, approved by the Legislature last year, could be a first test of how much a board composed mostly of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s appointees will embrace criminal justice reform efforts. Stitt, who appointed three of the five board members after taking office in January, has made reducing the prison population a priority for his administration.

House Bill 2286 established the streamlined parole process. Administra...