Lawmakers request numerous inmate transfers

Sunday, June 19th 2005, 12:37 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ More than 70 state lawmakers have contacted the Department of Corrections about moving inmates to prisons closer to their families since the beginning of 2004.

Records show corrections officials comply with about half of the requests by lawmakers, who control the state's prison budget. Officials say they consider an inmate's needs when considering a request.

Corrections Department Director Ron Ward says prison officials try to make sure the inmate comes out with tools to be better than what they came in as. If moving them prevent that, Ward says the request is usually denied.

Governor Henry, Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin and US Senator Jim Inhofe have similar requests. The contacts involved more than 200 inmates.