OPEA

(from left) Bobby Boone, Deputy Director of Institutions; Rick Moham, Assistant to the Warden, Jackie Brannon; Emma Watts, Warden, Jackie Brannon; Marty Sirmons, Warden, OSP; Art Lightle, Deputy Warden, OSP and William Jones, Chief of Security, OSP.

OPEA’s Executive Director Sterling Zearley and Membership Representative Alicia Wright traveled to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on March 26 to attend a staff meeting held to focus on longtime facility issues.

“OPEA was first contacted in October by OSP staff and the association then held a Legislative Town Hall meeting, which allowed our members to discuss ongoing concerns with their legislators,” Zearley said.  “Actually what was held on March 26^th was the second follow up to that original meeting and there were some 75 members in attendance.”

According to Zearley, continuing issues on the meeting’s agenda included recruitment and retention, disciplinary actions, overtime, poor working conditions, staff and structural repairs to the facility and bi monthly payrolls.

Department of Corrections Deputy Director of Institutions Bobby Boone called the meeting to order and gave the floor to OSP Warden Marty Sirmons, who then took each issue individually and discussed its progress.

“With regard to recruitment and retention, Sirmons admitted there was a shortage of both officers and nurses,” Zearley said.  “Actually, there were several suggestions from the staff with regard to this matter that included more media advertising, job fairs, posters and other literature, while also making an effort to fix shift rotation to accommodate staff.”

Zearley said that previously discussed disciplinary problems had been resolved.

“There had been an issue regarding case managers and offender files that have since been worked out,” he said.

Overtime was the next major issue and, and according to Zearley, a new system is under discussion so that there can be some relief from those having to take over 200 hours per month.

Physical structures and work environments were the next order of business.

“Working conditions at OSP continue to deteriorate,” Zearley said.  “This is, of course, one of the major issues brought forth in the recent DOC audit.”

Zearley said that the age and state of the facility and infestations were the key topics and that some progress has been made to make repairs.

A bimonthly payroll system is currently under consideration, Zearley reported.

 Ed Evans, Associate Director of DOC, closed the meeting and said that it was a learning experience.

“There were some excellent ideas brought forth today,” he said.  “Everything will be considered and discussed.”

A follow up meeting will be scheduled in the near future to check the progress of all topics.