By Barbara Hoberock
Tulsa World
OKLAHOMA CITY — Corrections professionals on Tuesday expressed shock and sadness that Department of Corrections Executive Director Justin Jones was resigning.
Jones made the announcement to his staff late Monday, saying his resignation date is effective in October, but his last day on the job will be in August due to paid time off.
“This is all about campaign money from private prison lobbyists,” said Sean Wallace, Oklahoma Corrections Professionals executive director. “The agency is purposely being run into the ground so that private prisons actually appear to be of value to the state. And the agency’s employees continue to be put in harm’s way and disrespected, while our elected officials play political games.”
Jones told the Tulsa World when asked if he was forced out: “It is just time to turn the page and move on to another chapter in my life.”
He has worked for the agency since 1977, held several positions and was named director in 2005.
Full story: Corrections professionals connect DOC exec’s resignation to private prison lobbying