The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is calling on Governor Henry to bring the legislature back into special session to address the serious funding issues at the Department of Corrections. An incident at the William S. Key Correctional Facility in Fort Supply left an inmate in serious condition.
“This is only the beginning,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “Furloughs and lack of funding are creating a dangerous situation in our corrections system. The combination of Oklahoma’s hot summers, overcrowded prison and low staffing because of furloughs is only inviting a catastrophic incident resulting in further injuries or worse.”
To balance the FY 2010 budget, the agency has already cut inmate programs not funded through grants. Vocational training areas were transitioned to living areas for inmate growth. The agency reduced private prison and half-way house rates and closed training facilities. In addition, DOC kept vacancies open and implemented buy-outs and a small reduction-in-force, lowering staff to a dangerous 73 percent.
The FY 2011 budget, which begins today, continues the serious funding challenges for DOC. The projected population growth of over 700 offenders and other unfunded mandates creates a $45 million budget gap. To help balance the budget for FY 2011, DOC has implemented furloughs beginning in July.
“Every day the corrections system is underfunded and employees are furloughed is a day staff and inmates are in danger,” concluded Zearley. “The citizens of Oklahoma expect and deserve public safety to be a high priority.”
Posted on
Thu, July 1, 2010
by Trish Frazier