Complaints may cause DOC to abandon plans

Tuesday, April 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Complaints from residents may cause the state Department of Corrections to give up plans to put a parole office near a residential neighborhood in McAlester.

The department wants to relocate the Probation and Parole office in a yet-to-be built office building. The DOC says the current office, at the Jackie Brannon Correctional Center in McAlester, fails to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

"If the community doesn't want us there, it will be a problem," said Deputy Corrections Director Cathy Waters. "We need to see what we can do about moving to another location and cutting our loses."

Pittsburg County has 190 people on probation and parole who report to the office anywhere from once a month to more frequently, DOC spokesman Jerry Massie said.

Robin Woodley, mother of two and a McAlester business owner, said she and area residents learned Friday that the office building under construction in her neighborhood was for the parole office.

After residents complained, they were told the department could alter its plans and just move clerical staff to the new site, Woodley said.

Neighborhood resident Ronnie May said he didn't want the facility in his neighborhood even if it will just house clerical staff. A corrections department sign will be viewed negatively and affect property values, he said.

A meeting with department officials and residents is planned Tuesday night.