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Corrections Director: Billion-Plus Budget Request Is No Joke

Michael Willmus-Oklahoma Watch

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections says it needs one billion dollars more to operate. DOC Director Joe Albaugh has never been shy about expressing his concern about the state prison system.

He says with the guard shortage, the inmates are pretty much in charge. He says crime operations are happening behind prison walls and he does not have the staff to address it.

Albaugh wants over $815 million to build two new medium security prisons. Another $10million would go to across the board pay raises for the staff.  Many corrections staffers now qualify for food stamps.