![]() ![]() As reported on KFOR T.V. , Governor Fallin has signed off on an early release for the Kingfisher mom who sparked a nationwide debate about women in prison and the incarceration of convicts for non-violent offenses. In 2010, Patricia Spottedcrow, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nation, and a mother of four young children, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling $31 of marijuana. Spottedcrow, who had no previous arrest record, has been imprisoned at the Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center for 19 months. Last year, a judge reduced her sentence to eight years. The case drew the attention of local Native American activist groups such as S.P.I.R.I.T, the Society to Preserve Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Treaties and the local chapter of the NAACP. When Spottedcrow’s conviction came to national attention, The Maryland-based nonprofit Criminal Justice Policy Foundation began inquiring about how best to help, and at least three Facebook pages, an online petition and a Twitter account were established to help spread the word about her story. Earlier this year the Pardon and Parole Board agreed to take a closer look at the Spottedcrow’s case and in April, the Board recommended early release. This week, the Governor signed off on Spottedcrow’s release, with one important exception: 120 days of work-release. Spottedcrow’s attorney, Laura Deskin said “This week the Governor finally did the right thing, this woman did not deserve to be in prison twelve years.” Patricia Spottedcrow will be transferred from Eddie Warrior Prison in the next few weeks, but it will be at least four months before she can live with her kids again. Her children are 2, 3, 5 and 10 years old. Her mother, Dalita Starr, who was present in the home at the time of the sale and was given a 30 year deferred sentence, has been taking care of her grandchildren. She works in a gas station and is slowly paying off the more than $8000 dollars in court fines and fees. Attorney Laura Deskin said. “There are many other Patricia Spottedcrows out there. There are many other mothers serving long sentences. There is a lot of work to do.” Oklahoma is number one in the incarceration of women. Upcoming native events for next weekend, July 27th-29th : 60th Annual Tulsa Powwow, Spirit Bank Event Center, Tulsa, OK . For more information go to www.tulsapowwow.org. Kihekah Steh 43rd Annual Powwow, 193rd St North & Javine Hill Road (52nd W. Ave.), Skiatook, OK. Stomp Dance after powwow on Saturday night. For more information call Donna Phillips at 918-381-7996 or dkphillips2002@gmail.com. ![]() « back ![]() |