OPEA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 4th, 2008                                              

CONTACT: Bud Elder

PHONE: (405) 524-6764; (800) 880-6732

Audit Findings of Little Surprise to OPEA

After Friday’s release of a private performance audit by the company MGT of America of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC), the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) voiced continued concerns regarding the drastically under-funded agency.

“The auditors took the legislature to the woodshed for not fully funding the DOC,” said OPEA Executive Director, Sterling Zearley.  “The Association’s ten-year call for additional funding and additional staffing has been vindicated today.”

The report, which recommended full funding for the Department of Corrections, estimates the agency will need an additional $30 million to make it through this fiscal year 2008.

“MGT told the legislature and DOC to work together to find a realistic budget that will end the practice of annual supplemental request,” Zearley said. 

OPEA was also not surprised the report was critical of staffing levels. 

“The audit agrees with the Association that staffing levels are dangerously low in state prisons,” Zearley said.  “The report said that the staffing was below advisable levels and that manning institutions at 82% was a poor decision.  Pointed to as critical were the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Oklahoma State Reformatory and three others prisons where our members have expressed concerns about safety.  The report recommends adding 42 officers to these prisons. ”

The report also points to turnover and salaries. 

“Factors driving vacancy rates include uncompetitive salaries slow hiring and the demanding nature of the job,” said Zearley.  “The turnover rate for correctional employees is staggering and costs the state millions of dollars each year.”

“OPEA is confident that if the recommendations of this audit are followed, facilities and working conditions in our correctional system will reflect responsible use of public funds for the safety of all Oklahomans,” Zearley concluded.

OPEA is recommending a $2,700 pay raise for state employees this year and represents 1,300 correctional employees.