The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is taking all 200 inmates out of Avalon Correctional Services’ Tulsa halfway house for men, due to investigations revealing “serious infractions” affecting inmate safety, reports the Tulsa World. The state confirmed that inmate brawls were an issue.
Attorney Louis Bullock said he’s been investigating the circumstances surrounding the inmate fights at Avalon Tulsa and has found repeated civil rights concerns. “It’s very clear that fighting at that facility was commonplace,” he said. “In some cases, it was not only supported or allowed, but actually ordered by the administration.” Inmates were allowed to fight to settle debts or as punishment for misconduct, he said. “Some of it was just done for pure entertainment of the staff and other inmates. You just can’t operate a facility like that.”