Pardon and Parole Board

The Pardon and Parole Board (PPB) is established through Article VI, Section 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The five-member, part-time board is charged with making impartial investigations and reviews of applicants for commutations, pardons, paroles and clemencies. The PPB may grant parole for non-violent offenses, including specific restrictions, limitations, and services as deemed proper. In addition, the PPB may make recommendations to the Governor regarding commutations, pardons, and paroles for violent offenses, including suggestions regarding restrictions, limitations, and services as deemed appropriate. Members of the Board are appointed. Three (3) are appointed by the Governor, one (1) by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and one (1) by the presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Board holds office coterminous with the Governor.

QUALIFICATIONS

To be eligible for appointment as a Pardon and Parole Board member, a person shall possess:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have at least five (5) years experience in one or more of the following fields:

Criminal justice;
Parole;
Probation;
Corrections;
Criminal law;
Law enforcement;
Mental health services;
Substance abuse services; or
Social work.

At least two members of the Pardon and Parole Board shall have five (5) years of training or experience in mental health services, substance abuse services, or social work.

BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Larry Morris

Mr. Morris is a native of Mississippi where he attended Mississippi State University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work with a minor in Corrections. He began his career with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a juvenile counselor and social worker. In 1991, he began with the United States Probation Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma where he served as an officer on all levels. In 2011, he was appointed to the position of Chief U.S. Probation Officer in the Northern District of Oklahoma until his retirement in December 2014.

Mr. Morris was appointed by the Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals and his first term will expire in January 2023. Mr. Morris fills one of the positions that requires experience or training in mental health services, substance abuse services or social work on the Pardon and Parole Board.

Dr. Edward Konieczny

Dr. Konieczny retired at the end of 2021 as CEO/President/Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma where he oversaw all Episcopal Institutions, Schools, and Churches throughout the state of Oklahoma. Prior to becoming a Priest and Bishop, Dr. Konieczny served as a Police Officer in Southern California. As a Police Officer he worked Uniform Patrol/Field Supervisor; Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Investigations; a Crime Task Force; Vice/Narcotics; taught the D.A.R.E. Program in local schools, and was cited for Meritorious Service on two occasions. Dr. Konieczny holds an AA Degree in Administration of Justice; a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice; a Masters of Divinity Degree; a Doctor of Ministry; and two Doctor of Divinity Degrees, Honoris Causa.

Dr. Konieczny was appointed to the Pardon and Parole Board by Governor J. Kevin Stitt on January 14, 2022. His term will expire January 2023.

Mr. Scott Williams

Chairman Williams worked as a Program Coordinator for Project Alpha, from 1993 to 1998, during which time he counseled at-risk youth. Concurrent with that position, he worked as a Mental Health Technician at High Pointe Hospital from 1995 to 1997. Chairman Williams then counseled at-risk youth from 1998 to 1999 at North Care Mental Health Center in his position as a Reintegration Worker. From February 1999 to November 2002, Chairman Williams acted as the Superintendent at Avalon Union City Juvenile Center where he implemented and led Oklahoma's Medium Security "Youthful Offender" residential treatment program for delinquent males age 13-20. Finally, Chairman Williams served as Warden for (Riverside ISU) Adult Multi-level Security Correctional Facility from December 2002 to May 2004. Chairman Williams fills one of the positions that requires experience or training in mental health services, substance abuse services or social work on the Pardon and Parole Board.

Mr. Williams was appointed to the Pardon and Parole Board by Governor J. Kevin Stitt on March 16, 2021. His term will expire January 2023.

Mr. Richard Smothermon

Mr. Smothermon served as the elected District Attorney for the 23^rd Judicial District, which covers Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties, a position he held for 16 years. In 2007, he received the honor of being selected Outstanding District Attorney for the State of Oklahoma.

Upon leaving the District Attorney’s office, Mr. Smothermon served as General Counsel for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation before retiring from state service in 2018. He holds a B.A. (1988) and a Juris Doctorate degree (1991) from Oklahoma City University.

Mr. Smothermon was appointed to the Pardon and Parole Board by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma on July 8, 2021. His term will expire January 2023.

Mrs. Cathy Stocker

Mrs. Stocker retired at the end of 2010 after serving 28 years as the elected District Attorney for District 4 comprised of Blaine, Canadian, Garfield, Grant and Kingfisher Counties.

She was appointed by Attorney General Scott Pruitt in July 2012 to serve a five-year term on the 5-member Ethics Commission for the state of Oklahoma and was appointed to a second five-year term by Attorney General Mike Hunter in 2017. Cathy served as the chair of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission in 2014-2015, 2016-2017 and in 2020-2021.

Her educational background includes a B.A. in 1972 from the University of Oklahoma and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1975.

Ms. Stocker was appointed to the Pardon and Parole Board by Governor J. Kevin Stitt on March 31, 2022. Her term will expire January 2023.

CONTACT

Board members may be contacted via email at Boardmembers@ppb.ok.gov or by leaving a voice mail message at 405/522-9227.