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    • Lawmaker criticizes Oklahoma prison security in interim study
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    Lawmaker criticizes Oklahoma prison security in interim study

    Pabio Posted on

    Oklahoma lawmakers heard a too-often-told story Wednesday about a man killed in a state prison, as experts voiced concerns about understaffing and horrific conditions in the state prison system. the state.

    Six speakers at an interim study focused on prisons spoke about ongoing problems facing the system, including allegations of expired food, insufficient access to water and a flood of contraband like drugs and cell phones. But those responsible for Oklahoma Department of Corrections rejected, claiming that they were not invited to speak during the study and contesting certain information provided by the speakers.

    About 30 people, including legislative members of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, attended the study hosted by committee chairman Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane.

    Speakers included attorney Matt Frisby, who has represented former employees in wrongful termination lawsuits; Dr. Whitney Louis, a whistleblower who worked in prisons as a psychologist; criminal justice advocate Emily Barnes; former prison employees Jason Lemmons and Luke Pettigrew; and Oklahoma Correctional Professionals Executive Director Bobby Cleveland.

    Humphrey dedicated the study to MarQuel Ross, who was killed while incarcerated at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. His family and advocates believe department administrators placed him in the wrong security level and covered up his death. Ross’s family members and relatives of other incarcerated people participated in the study.

    “When the public says, ‘Well, they’re detainees, they should be in prison,’ that’s fine, but we’re not saying we have to torture people and we have to treat people in this very inhumane way, ” said Humphrey.

    Oklahoma Department of Corrections announces new mission statement

    The study came days after the department recently announced a new mission statement and touted an overall reduction in violence.

    Barnes, who founded the group Hooked on Justice, said she receives videos and messages from inmates every week about problems happening at several prisons. She credited the department for breaking a contract with a private prison operator, The Geo Group, which oversaw a violence-plagued Lawton prison. But she said that resulted in inmates being transferred from Lawton to other prisons and facing new problems. Barnes added that she would like to see more programs for men’s prisons.

    The Corrections Department released an unsigned statement to the media about the study, highlighting the agency’s progress in hiring and disputing claims by Ross’ family that officials had tried to hide during its dead.

    “We have done our best to contact his family using the contact information he provided to us,” the agency’s statement said.

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    In the days leading up to the study, the department had issued three press releases on improvements and changes to correctional facilities. A statement highlighted progress in reducing inmate-on-inmate assaults resulting in serious injuries. The agency cited reforms such as managing the population strategically, stricter enforcement policies and improved technology.

    Overall, the department saw a 14% reduction in these incidents between October 2023 and May 2024. The department cited an update to the Class assaults and possession of a cell phone.

    One facility that has made significant improvements is Great Plains Correctional Center in Hinton, which saw a 44 percent overall reduction in inmate-on-inmate violent incidents between July and September.

    The department also announced it is guided by a new mission statement: “Building a stronger Oklahoma by transforming lives in a safe, rehabilitative and compassionate environment.” »

    The new statement reflects the agency’s increased focus on rehabilitation and helping to equip justice-involved people with the tools they need to successfully reenter society.

    Yet, so far in 2024, several violent incidents and deaths have been reported in state prisons, including one “group disturbances” in Lawton involving at least 10 detainees and a man who was stabbed 30 times at the Holdenville facility. Additionally, a the assistant director was accused to smuggle contraband into the Lexington jail.

    Humphrey is a strong advocate for criminal justice reform and for several months has raised concerns about the department’s management, leadership and the safety of staff and inmates. He also called for outside investigations.

    During the last legislative session, former employees told lawmakers that a culture of fear existed within the department and family members of inmates said it was difficult to get answers from the department.

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