THIS ACTUALLY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. STARTING OCTOBER 1ST, THE DAVIS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN HOLDENVILLE WILL BECOME A STATE RUN PRISON. AND WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS CALLING A COST SAVING MOVE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM VERY, VERY HOPEFUL THAT THIS IS A SIGN THAT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS INTENTIONALLY MOVING AWAY FROM CONTRACTING WITH FOR PROFIT BUSINESSES. CORECIVIC HAS OWNED AND OPERATED THE MEDIUM SIZED PRISON SINCE 1996, WITH OVER 300 EMPLOYEES AND 1500 INMATES. THEY WILL HAND OVER THE REINS TO THE STATE THIS FALL. CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE AND FORMER SPEAKER OF THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE, CHRIS STEELE SAYS THIS IS A POSITIVE STEP, THAT INCARCERATION NUMBERS ARE SHRINKING AND AN EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON CARE, NOT CASH. GENERALLY SPEAKING, FACILITIES THAT ARE RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA. DO A BETTER JOB OF MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THE MOTIVATION IS NOT PROFIT. THE MOTIVATION IS NOT A BOTTOM LINE. BUT RATHER THE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE CARE. A SPOKESPERSON FOR CORECIVIC SAID THEY APPRECIATE THEIR NEARLY 30 YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE D-O-C AND ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE DCF TEAM WHO HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF INMATES ACHIEVE SUCCESS AFTER INCARCERATION. THE DOC WILL REPORTEDLY SAVE $1.4 MILLION PER YEAR ON PROPERTY LEASE COSTS. THE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO JOBS WILL BE LOST AND EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE STAFF HAVE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION. ADVOCATES HOPE SMALLER INCARCERATION RATES MEANS MORE ROOM FOR MENTAL HEALTH REASONS. SOURCES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. OKLAHOMA STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO IN ULTIMATELY RIGHTSIZING OUR PRISON POPULATION. WE WE’VE MADE STRIDES IN RECENT YEARS, BUT WE ARE STILL AMONG THE HIGHES
Oklahoma Department of Corrections to add another prison under its control
After nearly 30 years, the privately owned Davis Correctional Facility will switch hands to the state
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Updated: 6:13 PM CDT Aug 15, 2023
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections will add another prison under its control this October. After nearly 30 years, the privately owned Davis Correctional Facility will switch hands to the state. Starting Oct. 1, the facility in Holdenville will become a state-run prison in what the DOC is calling a cost-saving move."At the end of the day, I am very hopeful that this is a sign that the state of Oklahoma is intentionally moving away from contracting with for-profit businesses," said Kris Steele, the executive director of The Education and Employment Ministry, or TEEM.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Corecivic has owned and operated the medium-security prison since 1996, with over 300 employees and 1,500 inmates. They will hand over the reins this fall.Steele said it is a positive step that incarceration numbers are shrinking and an emphasis is being placed on care, not cash."Generally speaking, facilities that are run by the Department of Corrections and by the state of Oklahoma do a better job of meeting the individual’s needs. The motivation is not for profit. The motivation is not a bottom line but rather the quality of life and the care," Steele said.A spokesperson for Corecivic said they appreciate their nearly 30-year partnership with the DOC and are extremely proud of the DCF team who have helped thousands of inmates achieve success after incarceration. The DOC will reportedly save $1.4 million per year on property lease costs.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe department said no jobs will be lost, and effort has been made to ensure staff have a seamless transition. Advocates hope lower incarceration rates mean more room for mental health resources and substance abuse treatment."Oklahoma still has a long way to go in ultimately right-sizing our prison population. We’ve made strides in recent years, but we are still among the highest incarcerated per capita of any state in the nation," Steele said.Top HeadlinesPerson dies after being struck by vehicle on I-240 in Oklahoma City, police sayMichael Oher, former NFL tackle known for 'The Blind Side,' sues to end Tuohys' conservatorship'Both engines just stopped': Video shows pilot rescued from water after plane goes downPerson taken to hospital after domestic-related stabbing in Oklahoma City, police say
HOLDENVILLE, Okla. — The Oklahoma Department of Corrections will add another prison under its control this October.
After nearly 30 years, the privately owned Davis Correctional Facility will switch hands to the state. Starting Oct. 1, the facility in Holdenville will become a state-run prison in what the DOC is calling a cost-saving move.
"At the end of the day, I am very hopeful that this is a sign that the state of Oklahoma is intentionally moving away from contracting with for-profit businesses," said Kris Steele, the executive director of The Education and Employment Ministry, or TEEM.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Corecivic has owned and operated the medium-security prison since 1996, with over 300 employees and 1,500 inmates. They will hand over the reins this fall.
Steele said it is a positive step that incarceration numbers are shrinking and an emphasis is being placed on care, not cash.
"Generally speaking, facilities that are run by the Department of Corrections and by the state of Oklahoma do a better job of meeting the individual’s needs. The motivation is not for profit. The motivation is not a bottom line but rather the quality of life and the care," Steele said.
A spokesperson for Corecivic said they appreciate their nearly 30-year partnership with the DOC and are extremely proud of the DCF team who have helped thousands of inmates achieve success after incarceration. The DOC will reportedly save $1.4 million per year on property lease costs.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
The department said no jobs will be lost, and effort has been made to ensure staff have a seamless transition. Advocates hope lower incarceration rates mean more room for mental health resources and substance abuse treatment.
"Oklahoma still has a long way to go in ultimately right-sizing our prison population. We’ve made strides in recent years, but we are still among the highest incarcerated per capita of any state in the nation," Steele said.
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