Wednesday, May 21, 2008
- Scott Barger
May 20, 2008
For Immediate Release:
OSR Disturbance Spotlights Prison Issues
Oklahoma City—A deadly fight at an Oklahoma correctional facility this week is shining new light on continuing problems inherent in the state’s prison system.
“We first want to commend our legislators for their increase in funding for Corrections,” said Sterling Zearley, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA). “But the underlying problem in our prisons remains--and that is overcrowding and the lack of personnel.”
Two inmates were killed Monday and more than a dozen injured during a fight at the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, one of the state’s oldest prisons.
“There continues to be severe problem areas which include recruiting and retention as well as infrastructure problems. Salaries need to be brought to market price and the number of officers increased.
“Ultimately this is a safety issue, one that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. If conditions persist the way they are now, the safety of other inmates, our employees as well as our citizens could be at risk,” Zearley added.
###