New Documents Raise Questions of Prison Closings

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars are at stake as lawmakers consider closing a number of state prisons.

The Department of Corrections first made reference to the potential prison closings. A newsletter by the DOC director Justin Jones also made mention to the considerations.

Following the newsletter, a letter sent by the DOC to Senator Glenn Coffee (R-District 30) again made references to the prison closings.

In the first line in the body of a letter sent to Senator Coffee from Jones, the letter reads, "Per your request, the attached cost analysis scenarios for possible facility closing are provided."

More on News9.com: Senate Leaders Deny Prison Closing Reports

Attached to the letter was a report on three Oklahoma prisons in Helena, Granite and Stringtown.

"That's not a request by my office," Coffee said. "That's Justin Jones' characterization of what he thinks I asked him to do."

Safety Subcommittee Chair Senator Anthony Sykes also denied requesting the information.

"Any talk of prison closing is based on speculation and on rumor and not based on any kind of fact," Senator Sykes said.

On three separate documents obtained by NEWS 9, including the DOC e-mail, director Jones' newsletter and the letter to Coffee, all mention prison closings, but Coffee maintains the DOC got it wrong.

Watch the full interview with Senator Coffee discussing the possible prison closings.

Coffee maintains the report that came with Jones' letter was part of a legislative-commissioned audit to see where the state can save money. Even though it references private prison costs, Coffee claims no prisons are currently on the chopping block.

Coffee's statement provided no comfort to State Senator Tom Ivester (D-District 26), who has one of those prisons in his district.

"It would be devastating for southwest Oklahoma to lose a $10 million payroll," Senator Ivester said. "That would be a huge hit."

Coffee took Ivester to task for what he calls an alarmist approach, and said any plans regarding those prisons are premature.

"No decisions have been made whatsoever," Coffee said. "We're simply trying to gather all the facts."

Coffee did say all options are being considered. A report should be completed by the end of the month.