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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: November 4, 2010
Sen. Kenneth Corn
Corn Says New Legislature Must Address Prisons
State Sen. Kenneth
Corn is urging the incoming State Legislature to address the
staff shortages in Oklahoma’s prisons before the public or
Department of Corrections (DOC) employees are placed at further
risk.
Corrections and public safety were always top priorities for Corn,
and as he prepares to leave office, he called on returning and newly
elected lawmakers to make these issues priorities as well.
“In recent months I had the opportunity to visit several DOC
facilities. What I saw was very disturbing. Because of budget cuts,
staff shortages and furloughs, many guards and employees are working
double shifts day after day, night after night,” Corn said.
“It’s a dangerous situation with serious consequences
if the next Legislature fails to recognize how Oklahomans are being
placed in harm’s way.”
The State Board of Corrections approved a request for a supplemental
appropriation last month asking for an additional $34.7 million.
That request would enable DOC to end the furloughs and address other
critical needs including offender growth as well as restoring operational
funding.
“They called the situation a public safety nightmare. What
I want to say is that’s not an exaggeration,” Corn said.
“The prison population is at 99 percent capacity, but only
70 percent of all authorized positions are filled because of budget
cuts. I hope our new leaders and lawmakers recognize this situation
will only get worse unless they have the political courage to address
this crisis.”
For more information, contact:
Sen. Corn: (405) 521-5576
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