The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is joining forces with the American Correctional Officer Intelligence Network (ACOIN) to sponsor a forum on the privatization of correctional and juvenile facilities across the nation.
The forums feature Brian Dawe, ACOIN Executive Director, who has been nationally recognized for his work on private prisons. He has spoken before the Canadian Parliament, at the Minnesota School of Law and Yale University as well as numerous conferences and rallies.
According to OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger, if you want to learn about private prisons, you need to attend. “Brian Dawe has one of the best track records of anyone nationally in educating employees and advocates about private prisons,” Barger said. “He has been involved in this issue from its re-emergence in the mid ‘90’s and you will not find a more knowledgeable person to discuss your concerns with than him. I would encourage every OPEA member and state employee to attend and join forces with us.”
The series of forums will take place November 12th at the James Crabtree Correctional Center beginning with a tour and then a forum featuring Dawe beginning at 11:30 to 12:30. Lunch will be provided and employees from JCCC, WSKCC, Bill Johnson and Enid are encouraged to attend.
OPEA will then move to the LE Rader Center for an afternoon tour of the state’s maximum security juvenile facility followed by a forum for employees at the Crescent Café, 3417 S 113th West Ave beginning at 5 pm.
On November 13th, the Association continues its forums at Oklahoma State Penitentiary with a morning tour followed by a forum with Dawe from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Employees from OSP, HMCC, MACC and JBCC are encouraged to attend.
OPEA finishes its forums with Dawe presenting to members of the House and Senate Public Safety Committees Friday evening in Oklahoma City.
