State Sen. Kenneth Corn will lead senators on a tour of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary on Monday to illustrate the need for more funding for prison guards, says The Oklahoman. He has criticized House Speaker Todd Hiett for opposing Democratic Gov. Brad Henry’s proposal to increase funding for prisons at a special legislative session.
“Just this weekend, a private prison in Holdenville had to be locked down to prevent a riot among prisoners,” Corn said yesterday. He argues that a shortage of guards has created a security crisis in the prison system. Corn said the ramifications of a prison riot at the penitentiary 23 years ago are still being felt today.