Our fresh takes on policing this week

We've put a new twist on our newsletter. We know you're busy, and we want to provide you with a news and opinion filled way to start your week — our fresh takes. We'll publish them every Monday morning. 

DA races hinge on changing incarceration in Oklahoma

The state with the nation's highest incarceration rate may be on its way to reform — and it could be voters who push it there this week. On Tuesday, nearly a third of the state's 27 district attorney seats are being challenged. And Oklahoma's powerful DAs (many of whom run on tough-on-crime platforms) are far "behind the will of the people" when it comes to prison reform, according to Rep. Cory Williams, one of those DA candidates.

The numbers back him up. According to Pew research, Oklahomans across party lines favor alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders and shorter prison sentencing in general. More than 80 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats and 85 percent of independents also favor investing state money in treatment programs and stronger probation and parole options. 

Prisons in Oklahoma are at 113 percent capacity, and three-quarters of the inmates are locked up for non-violent offenses.  

Oklahoma lags behind other red or red-leaning states when it comes to prison reform. Texas, Louisiana and Georgia have already made prison policy changes that have saved money and lowered incarceration rates including improving re-entry programs and diversion for non-violent offenders. 

Can an apology, 24 years later, make up for police botching investigation?

They called the woman a liar. They ignored evidence. They sat on the case. More than two decades later, they apologized. 

It was 1994 when the rape victim, an African-American woman, was in New York City's Prospect Park. James Edward Webb dragged her off of a path in broad daylight, threatened her with a knife and raped her. 

At the time, New York police officers told a reporter that the woman made up the story to promote a feminist rally. When lab evidence backed up the woman's account, officers still refused to act. 

Last week, New York City police commissioner James O'Neill issued a formal apology, calling the investigation a "miscarriage of justice."  

While officers sat on the case, Webb raped four more women. 

“I wanted to see this (apology) happen so that the N.Y.P.D. would have to take a public stance in support of survivors," the woman said, "so that there would be a public statement that would make it clear that it was safe and beneficial for survivors to come forward to the police, and that they would not be attacked or pilloried.” 

Oversight coming for one of nation's most controversial police departments? 

Two civilians may be added to Baltimore City's oversight review board if all parties agree on a proposed city contract with the Fraternal Order of Police. 

The civilian volunteers would be a required addition to the board, which includes three officers. Union members are slated to vote on the contract on Nov. 13. 

Activists have been pushing for a civilian review process for officers accused of misconduct for years, with calls getting louder after the 2015 death of Freddie Gray in police custody. Cases are currently reviewed only by other officers. 

The review board makes recommendations for discipline of cops on cases under investigation. 

Want more? Check out the Policing the USA site for information on police, policing and the justice system across the country.