State Senate passes funding for Corrections Department

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state Senate Wednesday passed a bill to provide $21-million in emergency funding for the state Department of Corrections. <br/><br/>The bill developed by Democrats is an alternative

Monday, February 6th 2006, 8:43 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state Senate Wednesday passed a bill to provide $21-million in emergency funding for the state Department of Corrections.

The bill developed by Democrats is an alternative to a bill developed by Republicans in the state House. The state House bill was scheduled to be voted on Wednesday as well.

The action comes a day after state House and Senate negotiators said they could not reach agreement on a bill to provide additional funding for prisons.

State Senator Kenneth Corn says the Senate bill includes a $3,200 pay raise for prison guards and more money to pay for inmates who are held in private prisons.

The bill now goes to the state House where it's fate is uncertain.

The House plan calls for $2,000 pay raises for all Department of Corrections workers except those in medical facilities and money for private prison space.