A multi-county grand jury report filed today raises serious concerns about the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ (DOC) Global Positioning System (GPS) surveillance program, particularly in the case of Sara Polston, who was controversially released early from prison to the program after serving just 73 days of an 8-year sentence.
Polston had caused a crash while driving under the influence in 2023 that severely injured Micaela Borrego, leaving her with life-altering brain damage.
The Controversial Release and Political Connections
Polston’s release has garnered significant attention due to her political connections. Polston and her husband, Rod Polston, made substantial contributions to the campaign of Governor Kevin Stitt.
This connection became the focal point of the grand jury’s investigation after recorded phone calls from the Cleveland County Jail surfaced.
In these calls, the Polstons referred to Governor Stitt as “the guy,” “our friend,” and “our buddy,” discussing how they could use their relationship with him to benefit Sara Polston’s case.
The grand jury report alleges that Stitt made multiple calls to the DOC on Polston’s behalf, raising concerns of political favoritism influencing the decision.
Grand Jury’s Findings: Favoritism and Issues with the GPS Program
The grand jury report highlights troubling instances of preferential treatment, including expedited transport services by the DOC for Polston and her approval for the GPS program.
The jury described the state of the GPS program as “indefensible” and characterized the instances of favoritism as “reprehensible.” They emphasized that all citizens deserve an equitable and impartial criminal justice system, regardless of wealth, political connections, or social status.
The investigation also criticized the lack of proper vetting and ethical guidelines within the GPS program, revealing that the approval process was “shockingly mechanical and unilateral.”
The grand jury expressed concern that the current operation of the GPS program undermines judicial decisions and silences the voices of victims, as evidenced by the fact that the Borrego family was never consulted before Polston’s approval for the GPS program.
Attorney General’s Response and Call for Reform
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised the grand jury for its thorough investigation and stated that the findings highlighted areas where the system must improve. He emphasized that Oklahomans deserve a fair and impartial criminal justice system.
“I appreciate the work of the jury to thoroughly investigate this case and find where improvements need to be made,” Drummond said. “Oklahomans deserve a criminal justice system that is fair and impartial.”
Recommendations for Change and Legislative Action
The grand jury made several key recommendations aimed at preventing similar failures in the future. These included:
- Legislative action to mandate minimum time served for offenders.
- Victim notification and increased oversight by a board or committee for GPS transfers.
- Revised DOC policies to ensure more transparency and accountability in the approval process for early releases.
- New training programs for DOC administrators and staff to improve decision-making.
- More limited discretion for DOC administrators on decisions to release or transfer offenders before the completion of their sentence.
The grand jury also commended the recent passage of Senate Bill 137 (SB 137), which tightens eligibility for the GPS program, particularly in cases involving DUI with great bodily injury.
The bill also mandates that offenders currently on the GPS program for such offenses be returned to prison, addressing public concerns about the fairness of early releases in such serious cases.
Accountability and Reform Needed in Oklahoma’s Criminal Justice System
The grand jury’s findings and recommendations underscore the need for accountability in Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, particularly in the management of the GPS program.
The case of Sara Polston has drawn attention to the influence of political connections in judicial decisions, and the report calls for changes to ensure that the voices of victims are heard and that justice is served fairly for all Oklahomans.
As the state moves forward with implementing reforms, the focus will be on ensuring that the criminal justice system operates transparently, impartially, and in a way that restores public trust.
