Prison violence increasing among staff debate

Sunday, November 13th 2005, 1:18 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A veteran Oklahoma corrections officer says prisoners are becoming more aggressive and violent episodes are increasing while state lawmakers bicker over how to increase prison staffing.

Corrections Lieutenant William Weldon says offenders realize prison guards are understaffed, and they're constantly pushing the envelope.

Weldon -- who works at Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington -- says the situation is the worst he's seen in his 21-year career.

The Democratic-controlled Senate appropriated 11 million dollars to increase salaries for prison guards during a special session in August. But the Republican-led House has refused to convene. About 28 million dollars is available for state lawmakers to spend.