Dept. Of Corrections Report Finds Declining Inmate Population, Money Reinvested Into Agency

Lawmakers questioned the head of the department of corrections after a new LOFT report raised questions about budgets and staffing in Oklahoma’s jails.  

The statewide inmate population declined 17% between January 2016 and May 2022. 

Director of the Department of Corrections Scott Crow says this is because COVID slowed down the criminal justice system, resulting in fewer inmates.  

And before that – criminal justice reform in 2017 changed the way the population looks.  

“Because of these reductions, we’ve been able to close three prisons across the state, and realize the efficiency of that, and reinvest that money into other things,” Crow said.  

He said the agency is also maintaining a buffer due to difficulties anticipating what the post-pandemic population will look like.  

LOFT reports that between fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the DOC’s total operating costs increased while the inmate population declined.  

“I don’t think that we haven’t recognized the savings, we just reinvested it ourselves without asking for additional funding,” said DOC CFO Ashlee Clemmons.  

Members asked about staffing levels and whether or not the DOC budget accurately reflects how much it costs to run their facilities.  

LOFT discovered 1,000 fully funded vacant positions.  

Director of the Correctional Officers Association Bob Cleveland hopes the report will bring transparency.  

“What I hope comes from the days meeting that we spend our money better, and we know how much money they’ve got, and how many correctional officers they are really short,” Cleveland said.  

Oklahoma has the seventh highest number of inmates in the U.S.— 420 per 100,000.  

LOFT found that facilities are routinely staffed below 50% of the level needed.  

The Department of Corrections responded to the LOFT report – some of their feedback suggests differing interpretations of the agency budget and operational practices. 

The committee recommends the DOC change the way inmate populations are reported. 

And – adopt an evidence-based budget that works with the full cost of running their facilities and services.  

The DOC is currently implementing a new data system to provide incarceration data at the local and county levels. 

Democratic members of the LOFT committee issued a statement after the meeting. 

Oklahoma City representative Cyndi Munson said, “There is no doubt DOC needs to have adequate staffing to ensure safety within their facilities, but I also believe the Legislature should consider where those unused dollars can be appropriated to invest in prevention programs and services – programs and services like education, health care, mental health, and substance abuse services that we know help Oklahomans live healthy and productive lives.”