April 29, 2024

Democracy Watch

Prisoner Advocates Ramp Up Lobbying Efforts

By Keaton Ross | Democracy/Criminal Justice Reporter

Dozens of family members of Oklahoma prisoners descended on the State Capitol on Thursday, urging lawmakers to improve conditions for the incarcerated. 

Advocacy days at the Capitol are a commonplace during the legislative session. But last week’s gathering was the first time family members of the incarcerated have formally lobbied lawmakers on prison issues, said Emily Barnes, founder of the group Hooked on Justice. The group’s list of requests includes more funding for prison medical and mental health care, a crackdown on drug use and overdose deaths and better food service. 

Flanked by Rep. Justin Humphrey, chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, several prisoner advocates aired grievances during an official hearing held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The allegations ranged from rampant staff-on-prisoner violence to unchecked extortion of vulnerable prisoners. 

Humphrey, who has sparred with the Department of Corrections on numerous occasions in recent months, asked attendees to provide him with documentation of the alleged wrongdoing. 

“We know there’s evidence,” Humphrey said. “It’s evident by the amount of people in this room.” 

Department of Corrections spokesperson Kay Thompson said the agency is unaware of several of the claims made at Thursday’s hearing. She said prisoner advocates should contact the agency’s community outreach unit for assistance if they believe their loved one is being mistreated. 

As I reported earlier this month, the corrections department is facing a lawsuit alleging staff at the Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton intentionally locked prisoners in small showers for days without necessities. The agency has also faced criticism over high summer temperatures at some prison facilities and the firing of several executive-level staff after director Steven Harpe took office in October 2022. 

The Corrections Department requested a flat budget appropriation for Fiscal Year 2025, including $8 million to revive the prison rodeo in McAlester. The Senate’s budget proposal includes the prison rodeo appropriation while the House’s draft plan does not. 

Have thoughts, questions or story ideas? Let me know at Kross@Oklahomawatch.org.

What I’m Reading This Week:

• ‘Grave Disservice to Taxpayers’: Audit Criticizes Oklahoma’s Handling of Federal Funds, OESC Contract: Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who frequently chimes in on state issues making headlines and often butts heads with Stitt, called for Tourism and Recreation Department Director Shelley Zumwalt to resign after an audit questioned her approval of a contract with her husband’s employer. Zumwalt rebuffed that request at a press conference Tuesday. [NonDoc]
• Controversial Oklahoma Immigration Bill Sent to Governor: House Bill 4156 would create a new crime called “impermissible occupation” for willfully entering the state without legal authorization to be in the United States. The first offense is a misdemeanor and the second offense a felony. The bill is expected to be challenged in court. [Oklahoma Voice]
• Oklahoma Natural Gas Seeks Rate Hike: The bump would add nearly $32 million to ONG’s base rate revenue, which they say would offset business costs and infrastructure investments. The proposed hike would cost the average utility customer about $2.50 more than they currently pay monthly. [KGOU]

Support our newsroom

Oklahoma needs high-quality investigative journalism. That is our mission at Oklahoma Watch. We produce stories that hold government and public officials accountable and that make transparent what some prefer to keep secret. We depend on financial support from readers like you to sustain our coverage. Help us make a difference.