For Immediate Release: January 4, 2008

Senate leaders Mike Morgan and Glenn Coffee, with House Speaker Lance Cargill, prepare to release the findings of an independent audit of the Department of Corrections.

Legislative Leaders Release Findings of DOC Independent Performance Audit

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The leaders of the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives today released the findings of an independent performance audit of the Department of Corrections conducted by MGT of America, Inc.

Speaker of the House Lance Cargill, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, and Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee issued the following statement regarding the audit:

We believe this performance audit is an example of good government. One of the Legislature’s primary responsibilities is to ensure that the taxpayers’ dollars we appropriate are being spent efficiently and effectively. That’s why an independent performance audit of the DOC was such an important priority during the 2007 session.

On behalf of the Oklahoma Legislature, we would like to thank MGT of America, Inc., for their hard work and their thorough assessment of Oklahoma’s Corrections system. As you can see, MGT’s performance audit is nearly 300 pages long and contains 141 recommendations. In the coming weeks, we will carefully review these findings and recommendations in greater detail.

This performance audit could not have occurred without bipartisan cooperation in the Legislature and the sincere desire of policy-makers to work together to find long-term solutions. We are committed to working together, and with Gov. Henry, in a bipartisan fashion to find common ground in the recommendations provided by MGT. While it is unlikely that every recommendation will be adopted, we are optimistic that sensible, long-term solutions based on this performance audit can be implemented this year.

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office - (405) 521-5774