State prison guards plead for more staff

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State prison workers tell a legislative panel that lawmakers need to authorize funding for more guards at state prisons.<br/><br/>The correctional officers testified Wednesday that

Thursday, July 7th 2005, 6:02 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State prison workers tell a legislative panel that lawmakers need to authorize funding for more guards at state prisons.

The correctional officers testified Wednesday that understaffing at state prisons has created unsafe conditions for them and inmates.

Lawmakers heard testimony from prison guards as they study whether to appropriate money to fill a 23 percent vacancy rate among guards in the Department of Corrections.

Governor Brad Henry has called a special session of the Legislature to consider spending $12-million more on state prisons during the fiscal year that began on Friday. Senate leaders have embraced the plan but state House Speaker Todd Hiett says corrections needs can be addressed next year.

Prison officials say they need $31-million more to house the state's growing inmate population through 2006. The agency's budget for the fiscal year is $409-million.