A Concrete and Razor Wire Reality

Mabel Bassett Correctional Center looms at the edge of McLoud, a small Oklahoma town thirty miles east of Oklahoma City. The prison, a sprawling complex of concrete and razor wire, holds within its walls the stories of countless women, many of whom share a common, devastating past: a history of domestic violence. It was here, amidst the stark realities of incarceration, that a quiet revolution began.

April Wilkens: A Quarter Century Behind Bars

April Wilkens has spent over twenty-five years incarcerated at Mabel Bassett for the 1998 shooting death of her ex-fiancé, Terry Carlton. Her case, tragically, is not unique. Wilkens repeatedly sought protection from law enforcement, detailing a pattern of abuse – beatings, rape, and stalking – that was, according to trial testimony, largely dismissed. Convicted of first-degree murder, she received a life sentence. Her story became a focal point in the movement for the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act, legislation designed to allow survivors of domestic abuse to petition for reduced sentences when their crimes are directly linked to the abuse they endured.

The Birth of the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act

Recognizing Oklahoma’s disturbingly high rates of both female imprisonment and domestic abuse, Tulsa attorneys Colleen McCarty and Leslie Briggs began exploring avenues for sentencing reform. Their work culminated in the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act, passed into law in 2024. However, the law doesn’t automatically grant sentence reductions. Instead, it establishes a process for survivors to petition the courts, requiring them to demonstrate that domestic abuse was a “substantial contributing factor” in their offense, with the final decision resting with a judge.

A Secret Survey Unveiled

The path to the Survivors’ Act began with a simple question posed by Wilkens to her fellow inmates: how many other women at Mabel Bassett had similar stories? Despite the risk of disciplinary action for conducting an unauthorized survey, Wilkens distributed a questionnaire, driven by a desire to quantify the extent of the problem. She spent weekends in the recreation yard, library, and chow hall, engaging with other prisoners and urging them to share their experiences.

For years, Wilkens had listened to the stories of women whose experiences of violence were often minimized or ignored by the legal system. Some were prosecuted for failing to protect their children from abusive partners, while others committed crimes under duress, fearing further harm. The survey revealed a disturbing pattern: a systemic failure to recognize the connection between abuse and criminal behavior.

156 Voices, Untold Stories

One hundred and fifty-six women responded to Wilkens’ questionnaire. Attorney Colleen McCarty, after reading the responses, described being profoundly moved by the depth of suffering and the systemic failures revealed within the narratives. The questionnaires exposed a chilling reality: fear and terror were the dominant themes. Women described escalating abuse – from emotional and verbal to physical and sexual – and the constant threat of violence.

“He said he was going to kill me and hide the body,” one woman wrote. Another recounted, “His wife before me had her nose broken twice.” The stories detailed a desperate struggle for survival, with many women fearing for their lives and the lives of their children. Some described a legal system that failed them, with inadequate representation and a lack of understanding of the context of their crimes.

Several respondents had, like Wilkens, killed their abusers, often in moments of desperation. “I didn’t realize I shot him until the gun went off,” one woman confessed. Another simply wrote, “One night just snapped, shot & killed my husband.” Many expressed a sense of hopelessness and a feeling that their stories had never been truly heard.

Do you think the legal system adequately considers the impact of domestic violence when sentencing survivors who have committed crimes?

The questionnaires became a powerful tool in the legislative push, demonstrating to lawmakers the prevalence of abuse-related cases and the need for reform. While the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act offered a glimmer of hope, the reality on the ground remains challenging.

A System Resistant to Change

Despite the passage of the Survivors’ Act, many women like April Wilkens remain incarcerated, awaiting a second look at their sentences. The system, it seems, is resistant to change. One prisoner’s response to the questionnaire encapsulates this bittersweet reality: “I was in a very abusive, sick relationship,” she wrote. “I am FREE now.” But for so many others, freedom remains elusive.

What steps can be taken to ensure that the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act is implemented effectively and provides meaningful relief to incarcerated survivors of domestic violence?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act

• What is the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act?

  The Oklahoma Survivors’ Act is legislation that allows survivors of domestic violence to petition for reduced sentences if their crimes were directly linked to the abuse they experienced. It does not automatically reduce sentences but creates a pathway for review.

• How does a survivor petition for relief under the Act?

  Survivors must demonstrate to a judge that domestic abuse was a “substantial contributing factor” in their offense. The judge then makes a determination based on the evidence presented.

• What prompted the creation of the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act?

  The Act was a direct result of advocacy efforts led by attorneys Colleen McCarty and Leslie Briggs, inspired by the stories of incarcerated women like April Wilkens and a survey revealing the widespread prevalence of domestic violence among female prisoners.

• Is the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act automatically reducing sentences for survivors?

  No, the Act does not automatically reduce sentences. It provides a legal mechanism for survivors to petition for relief, but the final decision rests with a judge.

• What was the significance of the survey conducted at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center?

  The survey, initiated by April Wilkens, provided concrete evidence of the high number of women incarcerated for crimes connected to domestic abuse, helping to build support for the Survivors’ Act.