Tuesday was a banner day for advocates of Oklahoma criminal justice reform as the state Senate passed eight separate bills that were written with the goal of lowering Oklahoma's high incarceration rate while preserving public safety.

"These historic votes will improve public safety in Oklahoma and save our state $1.9 billion," said Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, whose criminal justice reform task force recommended the bulk of the changes currently being considered by the Legislature.

"Making smart, data-driven decisions on how to increase safety while decreasing our overcapacity prisons is key to pursuing smaller, more efficient and more moral government," the governor said.

Oklahoma, which has the second-highest incarceration rate in the nation and the highest rate for women, is facing a prison crisis.