In a shocking incident of escalating violence in Oklahoma's prisons, two inmates were killed and more than 30 others injured in a massive brawl at the Lawton Correction and Rehabilitation Center, a privately managed prison located about 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has led to a lockdown and a halt in visitations, sparking renewed calls for reforms to curb the rising tide of violence in the state's correctional facilities.
According to Kay Thompson, a spokesperson for the Corrections Department, the incident was a result of a "group disturbance" that led to multiple injuries and two deaths. However, the exact number of minor injuries treated at the facility remains unknown. The incident is currently under investigation by the corrections department's inspector general.
Thompson revealed that the brawl occurred after an "operational error," without providing further details. She added that the facility's visitation was cancelled through the weekend. The incident involved two gangs that were supposed to have been kept separate, according to Emily Barnes, founder of the criminal justice advocacy group Hooked on Justice. She claimed that the fight started when one of the gangs was let into the yard.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from state Rep. Justin Humphrey, who heads the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee. Humphrey has been vocal about the management of the corrections system and has previously called for policy changes to better protect both DOC staff and inmates. "I am very disappointed that the Department of Corrections has ignored the overwhelming evidence that our prison system is primed for disaster," Humphrey said, urging state officials to declare a state of emergency within the corrections system.
The Lawton Correctional Facility, along with the Allen Gamble Correctional Center in Holdenville, has reported eight homicides in the past five years, the highest in the state system. Records obtained from the corrections department show that at least 29 inmates died by homicide from 2019 to 2023. Homicide is the fourth-leading cause of inmate death in Oklahoma prisons, excluding executions.
The Corrections Department has previously stated that staffing levels are not the cause of prison violence. They attribute homicides and injuries to gang activity and contraband, and claim to be working hard to reduce these issues. Their efforts include revised policies and procedures, new technology, regular sweeps of inmate cells, and separating rival gang members.
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