Bill would allow deportation of illegals in prison


Associated Press - January 23, 2009 9:55 AM ET

UNION CITY, Okla. (AP) - Illegal immigrants in Oklahoma prisons could be turned over for deportation before finishing their sentences under a bill filed in the state House.

The bill by Rep. Randy Terrill was requested by state prison officials and is being endorsed by the state Board of Corrections.

The bill calls for the release of inmates to U.S. immigration officials if the inmates have been ordered deported and have served at least one-third of their sentences.

Inmates required to serve at least 85% of their sentences would not be eligible.

Prison officials say 352 deportable inmates meet the sentence criteria but 121 have not yet served at least one-third of their sentences.

Terrill says the bill could save $4.5 million a year in prison costs.

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