OKLAHOMA CITY (July 13, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association continues to be actively involved in discussions with legislative leaders about a new report detailing the overall conditions of the structure and infrastructure needs of the Department of Corrections. The report, which was prepared by the Durrant Group, was also to provide an analysis and recommendation of the cost effectiveness of plans for future expansion.
Among the requirements, it was OPEA’s understanding the Durrant Group would consider a cost-benefit analysis which would include the construction of new state-owned and operated facilities, acquiring an existing facility from a private prison company and an examination of the contracts with private prison providers.
It has been OPEA’s position for several years that the DOC’s antiquated facilities do not represent the most cost-effective way to operate a prison system. Many of the prisons are 50 years old or older, and many were never designed as prisons but converted from old hospitals, juvenile homes or mental health facilities.
OPEA supports the concerns of Public Safety Committee Chairman Randy Terrill and believes he is correct in being critical of the lack of a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The CBA is critical in making a determination of any alternatives to the current operations within DOC and to making a decision about the strategic direction the state should take in regards to this $500 million dollar a year investment in public safety.
OPEA points out that substantial savings might be available if Durrant would have considered alternatives such as building new state facilities.
“A state that is experiencing budget concerns with corrections can either pursue something like a lease-purchase agreement or they can continue to wait two or three years, or however long it takes for voters to finally pass a referendum for an efficient prison structure,” said OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger. “In the meantime, the state exposes itself to additional costs and potential lawsuits because their facilities are horrifically outdated.”
OPEA believes Terrill is on the right track. “Chairman Terrill is correct in that just adding additional beds to outdated facilities is a very simplistic approach and not one that promotes a cost-effective view,” said Barger. “We need to replace the antiquated state prisons with new state of the art facilities either by building outright or by lease purchasing with private construction companies. This option was not even taken into consideration as Durrant made its recommendations.”
Oklahoma Public Employees Association (www.opea.org) is a non-profit labor organization that has represented the interests of state employees at the capitol in Oklahoma since 1975.
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Posted on
Mon, July 13, 2009
by Mark Beutler