Advocates demand governor, Legislature look closer at Oklahoma Department of Corrections

Criminal justice advocates rallied at the Oklahoma state Capitol Wednesday, demanding the governor and the Legislature take a closer look at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

“Our prisons are out of control. It’s time our governor does something,” said Emily Barnes, founder of the group Hooked on Justice. “Inmates are his people, too. They’re Oklahomans, too, and he doesn’t care about the inmates.”

The group said it wanted answers on how the department has been managed under the direction of Steven Harpe and wanted to tell Gov. Kevin Stitt that the state's prisons are out of control.

A spokesperson for the governor's office, Abegail Cave, denied the group's assertions and said the governor "cares deeply" about prison inmates, a feeling supported by his many actions in the criminal justice area.

'We're tired of the deaths. We're tired of the drug overdoses'

In 2024, several violent incidents and deaths have been reported at state prisons. The most recent was a “group disturbance” at Lawton involving at least 10 inmates and a man who was stabbed 30 times at the Holdenville facility. In addition, a deputy warden has been accused of bringing contraband into prison at Lexington.

“We’re tired of the abuse that’s going on the inside of prisons. We’re tired of the deaths. We’re tired of the drug overdoses,” Barnes said. She doesn’t think the governor and legislators pay attention to what's going on in prisons because incarcerated people are seen as “the worst of the worst.”

More: Prison homicides twice as high as previously reported, new state numbers show

Despite the reports of violent incidents, the Corrections Department has been adamant that their strategies are working. Kay Thompson, chief of media relations, told The Oklahoman earlier in the month that there had been “a significant decrease in violence” between security threat groups at state prisons. She said the “group disturbance” at Lawton was due to human error.

Family and friends of inmates attended the rally, but some said they were worried about retaliation if they spoke out. Those who did speak said they’re advocating to be a voice for their loved one who can’t speak out themselves.

State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, has been a fierce advocate for criminal justice reform, and for several months, has raised concerns about the department’s management, its leadership and if staff and inmates were safe. He’s also made calls for outside investigations. Dring the current legislative session, he invited former employees and inmates’ family members to speak on the issues.

Former employees told legislators a culture of fear exists within the department and inmates’ family members say it’s hard to get answers from the department.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Advocates demand Oklahoma lawmakers investigate state's DOC