The Oklahoma Dept of Corrections is closing a prison in Ft. Supply and, well, it's a complicated matter. We break down how it may affect the town and the state. Plus, Effie Rorke joins Scott and Andy to discuss her experience of variations in voting from state to state.
A few notes:
- Prison being closed in NW Oklahoma has several implications...but it’s a mixed bag.
- Fewer incarcerated people saves the state money and, presumably, more people in the workforce. (~5000 fewer than 2 years ago) Except…
- The closure means fewer job opportunities for prison employees, and they generally live in an area of the state that has limited opportunities as it is. (142 jobs; population of the town where it’s located is only 350)
- DOC board is now advisory in nature, but DOC still falls under the Executive branch, and we all know how much Governor Stitt wants to run this state like a business. Well, DOC is a loss leader for the state to an exceptional degree, so if nothing else, closure of this facility makes good business sense. However, the legislative branch isn’t thrilled with it, especially those from that part of the state, like Senator Casey Murdock from Felt. So, this week lawmakers had a meeting about it.
- Discussion between Sen. Casey Murdock (R-Felt) and DOC Director Scott Crow:
- Murdock asked, “The day that you made this decision, when you went home that night. How much sleep did you lose?”
- “Sir, I lose sleep on nearly a daily basis because of the problems in the correctional system around the state of Oklahoma,” he said. “It’s not limited to one facility or community.”
- Also has negative impact on local hospital, which isn’t great
- Also discussed the historical value of the prison, which seems...weird, right?
