The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is transparent in its operations. We continuously enhance strategies, processes and conditions for those in our care. Rep. Humphrey did not invite agency representatives to speak during the study; however, it is imperative that people know the facts.
Multiple facts were misstated during the interim study. Bobby Cleveland stated we had more than 300 homicides over two years. This is a blatant inaccuracy. There have been 13 homicides since Jan. 1, 2023, through today. Former employee Luke Pettigrew stated that qualifications for the ODOC director were changed to accommodate Director Steven Harpe. This is also false. The Oklahoma legislature changed the qualifications in March 2019 when the governor was also given the authority to appoint ODOC directors and set their pay. Director Harpe’s salary has been explained to Rep. Humphrey multiple times.
ODOC leadership, especially Director Harpe, does not bully or retaliate against employees. However, we hold employees accountable when they violate policy or state or federal laws. This is why we have terminated employees who jeopardize the safety and security of our facilities, staff and inmates by either abandoning their posts, which puts their fellow staff members in potential harm’s way, bringing in contraband, having inappropriate relationships with inmates, or their actions or inactions have caused great bodily harm or death to inmates. We will not put a price tag on protecting our team members or those in our care.
There is a nationwide staffing shortage within the correctional sector – this is not an Oklahoma-only problem. We have always stated we need more staff. However, not everyone is meant for this career path. We must also do our due diligence to ensure that we are hiring the proper people capable of doing the job with compassion and to ensure they are not affiliated with any security threat groups that could compromise the safety and operations of our facilities. We hire people every day and hold recruiting events weekly around the state. Since reworking our correctional cadet academy in May 2023, we have hired and graduated more than 300 officers through seven academies and have a retention rate of almost 80% of those graduates. This is up from 34% previously. The current academy has 45 cadets who will graduate in early December. These results have drawn the attention of nationwide correctional leaders, who are evaluating our academies and cultural changes to help them address their staffing problems.
Beginning in October 2023, we updated the sanctions related to Class X misconducts to hold inmates accountable when they violate the most egregious rules. Rep. Humphrey arrived at an inaccurate conclusion due to his lack of knowledge of our case management procedures. Marquel Ross was moved to maximum security in November 2023 due to his behavioral issues. We do not take assaults on staff lightly, resulting in him losing all his earned credits. Ross was not held past his discharge date. Unfortunately, he was a victim of homicide, and we offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones. First-degree murder charges have already been filed by the Pittsburg County District Attorney. We tried our best to get in touch with his family using the contact information he provided us. The screenshots of the texts received by the family are from VINE, a third-party vendor that has operated in the state since 2006, and are not from ODOC, as stated by Rep. Humphrey. Registration to receive notifications about inmates through VINE is open to the public, and ODOC cannot use any registrations as official points of contact.
ODOC’s Office of Inspector General thoroughly investigates all claims of wrongdoing, including extortion and Prison Rape Elimination Act allegations. We have a dedicated task force and facility staff that stop the introduction of contraband into our facilities every day. Earlier this year, OIG agents arrested seven individuals in one weekend who were trying to smuggle drugs and various other contraband items into our facilities. Contraband arrests are made weekly. All bad actors, either inmates, staff or civilians, are held accountable for their actions, and information resulting from OIG investigations about their criminal activity is forwarded to our partners at the appropriate district attorney’s office.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections stays committed to protecting our staff and those in our care by transforming their lives through rehabilitative programs and services to build a safer, stronger Oklahoma.