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Wakita Wants to Build Faith-Based Prison

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The small town of Wakita may soon play a big role in reducing the number of repeat offenders in the state.

NEWS 9 has learned the city of Wakita has signed a working agreement with Dallas-based Corrections Concepts to build a faith-based prison inside the city limits. If their plan is approved by the state of Oklahoma, it'll be the first of its kind in the country.

"The city leaders of Wakita came to me after seeing your story on NEWS 9 earlier this year," said Corrections Concepts founder Bill Robinson. "We met with the Governor's office this morning, and now we're just waiting to get a final approval from someone in the political system."

In February, NEWS 9 sat down with Robinson at his home in Dallas and talked about the idea of putting a faith-based prison somewhere in Oklahoma.

Learn more about Robinson's plan.

Robinson's plan for prison inmates would incorporate religion as part of their rehabilitation and prison term.

"We would take inmates who are serving their final 12 to 24 months in the system and teach them how to become citizens again before they're released," said Attorney John Sheedy whose serving as special council for the city of Wakita and Grant County. "We'll have a church group working with the inmates and their families while the offender is still behind bars, and they'll continue to work with that individual and mentor him or her once they are released."

The Sheriff of Grant County will oversee operations at the facility and said citizens of Wakita have little to worry about. After all, the offenders housed here will be near the end of their prison sentence, so there's little incentive for them to try and run now.

"Real public safety is not just preventing escapes, but it's changing criminals into citizens. That's real public safety," Robinson said.

Robinson said the prison will bring more than 100 jobs to the Grant County area and will generate an annual payroll of $4.5 million in the city.

Read the Inmate Participation Agreement.

Under Robinson's plan, the facility would hire only Christians. The inmates who agree to transfer to the facility would be obligated to enroll in faith-based classes.

More on News9.com: Man Seeks Place to Build Religious Prison