California Prison Contract Concerns Raised

Thursday, November 2nd 2006, 6:08 am

By: News On 6

Some Oklahomans are concerned a new prison contract could lead to more gang problems. The California Department of Corrections has signed a contract with two private prisons to bring inmates from California to Oklahoma.

Some of those prisoners are heavily involved in the Mexican Mafia. Many people worry that once those inmates are released, they will start teaching their criminal ways in Oklahoma.

A former gang leader turned pastor knows first hand. Pastor Israel Mireles: "They can't catch the individual, they go after their family. They go and burn the house and go and kill them. I know this. I've been around it. I've been around it most of my life."

The three-year contract between California Corrections and the corporation that owns the two Oklahoma prisons has been signed.

The Oklahoma prisons are waiting for a list of inmates who will be transferred.