Oklahoma Department of Corrections Budget Increase in Oklahoma FY19 budget

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections should receive an increase in the Oklahoma FY19 budget.

I. The State Government of Oklahoma determines the uses of the States allocated monies available for use each year with a Fiscal Year Budget. The Oklahoma Department of Correction is asking for $1.53 billion of funding for the FY 19. This request for grant includes the funding for two new medium security prisons, mental health program, and substance abuse programs. The budget of $107 million for repairing its facilities and $10 million to give raises to its employees.

II. The Department of Correctional continual endurance of budget cuts

A.  Significant Need for Repairs to Established Facilities

B.  Over Population

III.  Decreased Staffing Levels and Inadequate Pay

A. Civilian, Employee and Offender Safety Issues

B. Working and Living Conditions for Staff and Offenders

IV. Inadequate Security Equipment and Training

Limited working equipment for Security

B Staffing Level Effect Quality Training

V.    Programs based for Deterrence to Crime

A. Under Staffing and under equipped to maintain progressive and positive programs for long and short-term offenders

B. Educate and Reduce Recidivism

VI. Department of Corrections Reduction in Population

Release Offenders with moderate to low offenses for supervision outside Prison

VII. Expand on Life Skills and Programs

A. Train Staff in Necessary Programs and Interaction to prepare Offenders for life outside of prison

A. Increase Commutation for Offender who have long term clear conduct

The Department of Corrections is Under Funded with an Uncultivated Knowledge of the Necessity of this Vital Branch of Law Enforcement. The Declining ability for financial funding by Oklahoma will drastically increase the dangers to Oklahomans, Staff and Offenders and decrease the ability to protect society from illegal acts.