Understanding the Oklahoma Department of Corrections

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) is a state agency responsible for managing 24 correctional facilities, including 17 prisons and seven community-based centers. Under the governance of a nine-member Board of Corrections, ODOC oversees approximately 24,000 inmates through a hierarchical command structure. The department maintains five security levels and provides comprehensive services, including healthcare, mental health treatment, educational programs, and rehabilitation initiatives. Operating within constitutional guidelines and Supreme Court decisions, ODOC implements strict regulatory standards for staffing, security, and facility management. Through its various divisions and programs, ODOC’s system extends beyond basic incarceration to encompass rehabilitation and public safety objectives.

Powers & Authority

The authority governing the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is rooted in the Eighth Amendment‘s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment and the Fourteenth Amendment‘s guarantee of due process. Landmark Supreme Court decisions such as Estelle v. Gamble (1976) and Brown v. Plata (2011) have further affirmed inmates’ constitutional rights to adequate medical care and humane conditions of confinement.

Oklahoma’s correctional system currently houses over 24,000 inmates, a figure that has remained relatively stable in recent years. The inmate population is predominantly male (88%) and disproportionately composed of racial minorities, with African Americans and Hispanics comprising 37% and 12% of the total, respectively.

The state operates 24 major facilities, including 17 prisons and 7 community-based centers, with a combined capacity of over 29,000. The Department generates additional revenue through media and film contracts that allow production companies to shoot at penal institutions.

The Department’s annual budget stands at $537 million, with significant allocations for security operations ($234 million), healthcare ($92 million), and rehabilitation programs ($41 million). The Director, appointed by the Governor and overseen by the Board of Corrections, holds extensive authority over personnel management, institutional operations, and disciplinary matters. This includes the power to appoint wardens, determine staff compensation, establish operational protocols, manage inmate transfers, and implement training for correctional officers. The Director also ensures thorough investigations of employee misconduct and collaborates with the Board on policy, budget, and strategic planning for the state’s correctional facilities.

How Does the ODOC Run Its Prison System?

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) operates under the authority of the Oklahoma Board of Corrections, the governing body overseeing the state’s prison system. The Board comprises nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate, each serving seven-year terms. Under Oklahoma Statute Title 57, Section 503, the Board is empowered to appoint the Director of the ODOC, who serves as the chief executive officer responsible for the overall management and oversight of the department.

The ODOC Director, in turn, leads a hierarchical command structure that includes several key divisions and leadership positions. The Administration division is led by an Undersecretary who manages budgeting, personnel, and policy development. This division has evolved significantly since the department’s consolidation in 1967, which streamlined operations and improved efficiency. The department currently reimburses county jails at a rate of $27 per day for housing state inmates despite actual costs often being significantly higher.

The Operations division, overseen by a Deputy Director, coordinates daily facility management, security protocols, and inmate classification across the department’s prisons, ranging from maximum-security to minimum-security institutions.

The Rehabilitation Services division, directed by an Assistant Director, provides educational, vocational, and mental health programming to incarcerated individuals to facilitate successful reintegration. The Community Corrections division, headed by a separate Assistant Director, operates halfway houses and parole/probation services. Lastly, under the leadership of a Chief Medical Officer, the Health and Offender Services division ensures the provision of comprehensive medical and mental health care to the prison population.

This hierarchical structure, established by state law and administrative regulations, enables the ODOC to manage the complexities of operating one of the largest state prison systems in the United States. The Board of Corrections provides oversight and policy direction. At the same time, the Director and division-level executives implement department-wide initiatives and address operational challenges, such as overcrowding and staffing shortages, following their statutory authorities.

What are the Regulatory Standards of the ODOC?

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) maintains comprehensive classification and operational standards across state-run correctional facilities. Facilities are categorized into five security levels – minimum, medium, maximum, close, and administrative – with specific criteria determining an inmate’s placement.

At minimum security facilities, inmates must be low-risk, have stable program participation, and maintain clear disciplinary records. Staffing ratios at minimum facilities require at least one officer per 75 inmates during the day. The facility’s earned credits system allows inmates to reduce their term of imprisonment through good behavior and program participation.

In contrast, close custody facilities house the state’s highest-risk offenders, mandating a minimum of one officer per 50 inmates. Cell construction and access controls are more robust, with perimeter fencing supplemented by detection devices and armed patrols.

Administrative facilities, such as the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, contain specialized units for death-sentenced inmates, the mentally ill, and protective custody cases. These facilities adhere to the highest security standards, maintaining a ratio of one officer per 30 inmates.

Operational protocols are standardized across all ODOC facilities. Oklahoma Statutes Title 57 § 510 requires continuous monitoring of inmates, with staggered cell checks no more than 60 minutes apart. All staff must complete comprehensive training programs covering the use of force, emergency response, and inmate de-escalation techniques.

Facilities are subject to unannounced inspections by the Department’s Internal Audit Division to ensure compliance with building codes, fire safety regulations, and contraband interdiction procedures.

Recent legislative mandates, such as Oklahoma Administrative Code 310:675-3-2, have bolstered staffing and training requirements. Effective January 2022, all correctional officers must receive at least 160 hours of pre-service instruction, a 33% increase from prior standards. The ODOC has also adopted trauma-informed practices, implementing specialized training for staff working with vulnerable populations.

ODOC Programs & Inmate Services

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) strongly emphasizes comprehensive inmate rehabilitation programs grounded in evidence-based approaches that foster measurable behavioral changes and enhance re-entry opportunities. Under the leadership transitions from Joseph Allbaugh to Scott Crow, these programs have maintained consistent standards while evolving to address contemporary correctional challenges.

The cornerstone of ODOC’s medical and mental health services infrastructure includes:

• 24/7 access to on-site healthcare professionals
• Specialized units for inmates with acute or chronic conditions
• Telemedicine capabilities to connect inmates with off-site specialists
• Comprehensive mental health assessments and individualized treatment plans

ODOC’s Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program, prominently featured at facilities like Dick Conner Correctional Center, operates on cognitive behavioral modalities and typically spans 6 to 9 months of intensive treatment. The program encompasses anger management, social skill development, and career technology training, addressing multiple facets of rehabilitation. The facility houses approximately 500 individuals in its treatment program. Outcome data indicates significant reductions in recidivism rates among RSAT participants.

Nutritional services within ODOC include:

• Medically tailored meals for inmates with dietary restrictions
• Daily caloric and nutrient intake monitoring
• Specialized diets for inmates with chronic health conditions

ODOC’s commitment to gender parity is evident in its standardized treatment continuum, with specialized programs at facilities like Mabel Bassett and Lexington Correctional Centers offering medication-assisted therapy for opioid use disorders. Regular program assessments, quality assurance measures, and data collection protocols ensure these services maintain high operational standards while adapting to evolving inmate needs and rehabilitation best practices.

ODOC’s rehabilitation services encompass a wide range of programming, including:

• Educational and vocational training
• Faith-based initiatives
• Family reunification support
• Community reintegration resources

These multifaceted efforts aim to address the diverse needs of the inmate population and facilitate successful reentry into society.

What Resources Does the ODOC Offer Inmate Families?

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) facilitates inmate visitation through a comprehensive visitor support infrastructure. Visitors must first be added to the authorized visitation list, which can be done either in person or through the ODOC’s online portal. Visitors must present valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID card, and undergo security screening procedures to enter the facility.

Visitation schedules and durations vary by facility. For example, at the Lexington Assessment & Reception Center, visits are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a maximum duration of two hours. The Mabel Bassett Correctional Center allows visits on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, with a one-hour time limit. To accommodate families, the ODOC provides designated child-friendly areas within visitor processing centers and assistive services for elderly or disabled visitors. The Passport to the Future program offers specialized mentoring services for children who have incarcerated parents. Calm Waters offers free weekly support groups for children experiencing grief from family separation.

Inmate locations can be tracked through the ODOC’s online inmate search system, which allows family members to search by inmate name or number and view their current facility assignment. The system also provides notifications when an inmate is transferred to a different institution.

Communication between inmates and their families is facilitated through various channels. Inmates can make outgoing calls through the ODOC’s contracted phone service provider, with rates starting at $0.21 per minute. Video visitation is available at select facilities, enabling face-to-face interactions through secure video conferencing. Additionally, inmates can send and receive physical mail, which is subject to screening and processing by facility staff.

Facility Name	Visiting Days	Visiting Hours	Duration Limits
Lexington Assessment & Reception Center	Saturdays and Sundays	8:00 AM – 3:00 PM	2 hours
Mabel Bassett Correctional Center	Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays	12:30 PM – 3:30 PM	1 hour

These resources, along with the support of community-based organizations and state agencies, aim to maintain strong family connections and provide essential services to the families of incarcerated individuals throughout the incarceration and reentry process.

How Do Oklahoma Prisons Operate?

Oklahoma’s prison system utilizes a comprehensive classification and assessment process to ensure appropriate inmate placement and management. The classification system is based on a point-based scoring system that considers various factors, including the severity of the current offense, criminal history, escape history, and institutional behavior. Each factor is assigned a weighted value, and the total score determines an inmate’s security level.

The initial classification process begins with a thorough psychological evaluation and the use of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), a validated risk assessment tool. The LS/CMI measures an inmate’s risk of recidivism across eight domains, including criminal history, education/employment, family/marital, and substance abuse. The assessment also considers any mandatory override criteria, such as the nature of the current offense or the inmate’s gang affiliation.

Based on the assessment results, inmates are assigned to one of five security levels: minimum, medium, maximum, close, or administrative segregation. Specific scoring thresholds are used to determine the appropriate level, with higher scores indicating a greater need for security and supervision. With 27,000 state inmates housed across 24 state prisons, five community correction centers, and three private facilities, proper classification is crucial for maintaining order and safety.

Reclassification occurs regularly, typically every 12 months or when significant behavioral changes are observed. This process involves a review of the inmate’s institutional behavior, program participation, and any changes in risk factors. Positive program participation and good behavior can result in a reduction in security levels. In contrast, negative behavior or the emergence of new risk factors may increase security levels.

The assessment protocols involve a multidisciplinary team, including correctional officers, case managers, and mental health professionals. These evaluations are conducted at specific intervals, such as every 6 months for medium- and maximum-security inmates and more frequently for those in close custody or administrative segregation. The findings from these assessments are then used to make informed decisions about an inmate’s placement and management within the correctional system.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections reports that as of 2020, approximately 40% of the prison population was classified as minimum security, 35% as medium security, and 25% as maximum or close security. The department continues to refine its classification and assessment processes to ensure the efficient and effective management of the state’s incarcerated population.

What Jobs Does the ODOC Offer?

Position Title	Starting Salary Range	Basic Requirements
Correctional Officer	$35,000 – $45,000	High school diploma/GED, valid driver’s license, successful completion of ODOC Training Academy
Sergeant	$40,000 – $50,000	2+ years as Correctional Officer, completion of ODOC Supervisory Training
Mental Health Technician	$38,000 – $48,000	Associate’s degree in human services, completion of ODOC Mental Health Training
Case Manager	$42,000 – $52,000	Bachelor’s degree in social work or criminal justice, completion of ODOC Case Management Training
Maintenance Technician	$36,000 – $46,000	High school diploma/GED, technical certifications, completion of ODOC Facilities Maintenance Training

The ODOC Training Academy is a 6-week intensive program that covers a wide range of topics, including constitutional law, use of force, firearms proficiency, self-defense, and crisis intervention. Trainees must meet physical fitness standards, including a 1.5-mile run in under 15 minutes, 25 push-ups, and 30 sit-ups. Upon successful completion, trainees receive their certification as Correctional Officers.

Field training for Correctional Officers spans 8 weeks. It includes supervised shifts in various security posts, hands-on experience in emergency response procedures, and comprehensive evaluations of tactical decision-making and conflict resolution skills. Officers must demonstrate proficiency in all areas to complete the program successfully.

Continuing education is a crucial aspect of career development within the ODOC. All employees must complete at least 40 hours of annual training covering policy updates, de-escalation techniques, and professional ethics. Specialized certifications, such as the Mental Health Technician Program, require 80 hours of focused instruction over 4 weeks. Opportunities for advancement, such as the Sergeant position, mandate the completion of ODOC Supervisory Training, a 2-week course emphasizing leadership, decision-making, and personnel management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Annual Cost per Inmate in Oklahoma Prisons?

According to 2015 data, Oklahoma’s average annual cost per inmate was $16,497, significantly lower than the national average of $33,274, based on total state prison spending divided by average daily population.

How Many Correctional Facilities Are Currently Operational in Oklahoma?

Based on the provided information, Oklahoma has 23 operational correctional facilities, including state prisons, private prisons, community corrections centers, work centers, and halfway houses across the state.

What Percentage of Oklahoma Inmates Return to Prison After Release?

Oklahoma’s recidivism rate ranges between 21-23%, with recent data showing a decrease to 18.6% following criminal justice reforms. This rate remains significantly lower than the national average.

How Long Is the Typical Training Period for New Correctional Officers?

The typical training period for new correctional officers in Oklahoma spans 3-6 months, including a minimum 200-hour core curriculum academy, followed by extensive on-the-job training totaling up to 400 hours.

What Is the Current Ratio of Correctional Officers to Inmates?

According to the data, Oklahoma’s correctional system currently operates with a ratio of 5.87 inmates per correctional officer, with 3,910 officers supervising 22,941 inmates, representing the highest ratio nationwide.