Steele, Prater Quitting JRI Group
Prater, Steele quit as chairmen of working group following emotional meeting
By Andrew Knittle
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and former House Speaker Kris Steele abruptly quit Thursday morning as chairmen of a group working to make the state’s criminal justice system more efficient.
Prater and Steele, who had served as chairmen of the state’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative working group since last year, made the announcement following an emotionally charged meeting at the state Supreme Court building.
Both men were upset with the decision by Gov. Mary Fallin to refuse nearly $400,000 in federal funds, which would have been used to help train those responsible for implementing the reforms in Oklahoma.
They were also upset with legislation to create a politically appointed panel to take over the work of their nonpartisan committee.