OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Despite a recent report that Oklahoma's ratio of prison guards to offenders is among the worst in the nation, Gov. Mary Fallin's top attorney says he doesn't believe safety is being compromised at the state's prisons.
Fallin's general counsel Steve Mullins said Thursday he meets regularly with the interim director of the Department of Correction and is not concerned there is a problem with staffing at the state's prisons.
A survey released last week by the Oklahoma Corrections Professionals indicates the state's ratio of correctional officers to offenders is the worst among at least 49 states. The survey shows Oklahoma has one officer for every 11.7 inmates, compared to a national average of 5.5 inmates per officer.
OCP President David Ramsey says he was "shocked" by Mullins' comments.