A strong majority of Oklahoma citizens favor criminal justice reform, a recent survey concludes. 

Nearly three-fourths of Oklahomans (73%) favor reducing prison and jail populations, The Oklahoman reported Sept. 25. 

The survey also said Oklahoma citizens would support a candidate who favors criminal justice reform by a 5:1 margin. 

The number of violent crimes in the state is declining and Oklahoma’s recidivism rate is the lowest in the nation, said the article. 

“Common-sense improvements have reduced the state prison population, increased community safety and saved taxpayer dollars,” wrote David Safavian, author of the story. Safavian is general counsel of Conservative Political Action Coalition. 

Polls show that 35% of Oklahoma voters support more funding for addiction treatment and that 32% support more spending on education. Less than 3% favor building new prisons and jails. 

Seventy-four percent of Oklahoma Republican voters and 61% of those identified as “very conservative,” support shorter sentences for less serious crimes, according to the story.