Funding plan unclear for backlogged Okla. jails

State news

March 3, 2013

Funding plan unclear for backlogged Okla. jails

Dan Holtmeyer Associated Press Sun Mar 03, 2013, 05:27 AM CST

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers have yet to respond to a request from the Department of Corrections for additional funding, leaving the DOC worried that the day may come when it cannot accept any more inmates.

Corrections spokesman Jerry Massie says state prisons are near capacity and the backlog of inmates waiting in county jails has only grown since January when the funding request was made.

Department Director Justin Jones told legislators he needed $6 million immediately or the state wouldn’t be able to take any more county jail inmates. Some counties, including Oklahoma County, are also at their capacity for inmates.

Gov. Mary Fallin has not proposed supplemental funding for the department. She has suggested a $1 million annual budget increase for the DOC — which asked for a $60 million increase.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

State news

Two-time killer executed at OSP
A two-time convicted killer, and death row inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, was executed via lethal injection Tuesday evening in the prison’s death chamber.

June 18, 2013 3 Photos
VIDEO: Okla. super-twister biggest tornado in U.S. history
The deadly tornado that ripped through Oklahoma on Friday was the biggest twister in U.S. history, a record two-and-a-half miles wide, with winds up to 295 miles per hour. The tornado traveled 16 miles on the ground. At least 18 people were killed in the storm.

June 11, 2013 1 Photo
Board recommends clemency for death row inmate
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended granting clemency to a death row inmate who is set to be executed this month.

June 10, 2013 1 Photo
Tornado kills star storm chasers
Three storm-chaser stars for the Discovery Channel were among 13 people killed in tornadoes and flooding in the nation's heartland over the weekend, authorities reported Sunday.

June 3, 2013 1 Photo
Expert: Schools need shelters
Ninety-four percent of Oklahoma schools do not have tornado shelters, according to Gov. Mary Fallin, even though at least one weather expert says they should be standard. With two Moore schools destroyed in Monday’s EF-5 tornado — and ...

June 1, 2013 1 Photo
AUDIO: Residents share their tornado experiences
Moore, Okla., residents talk about living through May 20's EF-5 tornado.

May 30, 2013 1 Photo
TIMELAPSE: Take a tour through the damage in Moore
Take a driving tour of the damage in Moore caused by Monday's tornado.

May 29, 2013 1 Photo
Flags become symbols of hope, unity in tornado-damaged Oklahoma
The first thing Kevin Gibson did after returning to his house, torn apart by a powerful tornado Monday, was pull an American flag and a temporary flagpole from the corner of his partially standing garage.

May 25, 2013 2 Photos
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
May 21, 2013
McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency services prepares for severe weather
Tornadoes and severe weather have torn through a large part of Oklahoma today (May 20,2013) and have devastated Moore south of Oklahoma City hitting two schools and Moore's hospital.

Severe weather is possible for Pittsburg County and is under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. this evening.

McAlester/Pittsburg County Director of Emergency Service Trent Myers gives video tips on how to weather the storms.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo 3 Videos
More State news Headlines