OPEA

OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley issued the following statement regarding House Bill 1965. The legislation as amended, would have abolished the Board of Corrections and require the governor to appoint the director, subject to advice and consent of the Senate.

“The Oklahoma Public Employees Association has been working closely with Senate Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and his staff regarding the proposed amendment to HB 1965 that would abolish the Board of Corrections,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. 

“The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is pleased that Senator Coffee understands and is responsive to the needs of our corrections employees,” stated Zearley.  “He has devoted considerable time to OPEA as well as making his staff available to hear our immediate concerns about this amendment.  We are encouraged that the amendment did not receive a hearing this week.”

“We are hoping that this signals, to all parties, a willingness to move on in the process of studying the recommendations of the architectural study as soon as they are released and begin the important work of insuring the safety of not only the citizens of Oklahoma, but also our valuable correctional employees.  Senator Coffee remains a committed supporter of public employees, not only in corrections, but other agencies as well.  We look forward to continuing a working relationship with him as we all seek solutions to the immediate issues facing our state’s correctional system.”

The Board of Corrections was established in 1967 in the Oklahoma Corrections Act during Governor Dewey Bartlett's administration.  With staggered six-year terms, the seven-member board of citizens is appointed by the governor.