Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — The head of Oklahoma’s prison system says he plans to use a $14 million budget increase to hire more staff and add more beds for a growing inmate population.
Director Rob Patton of the state Department of Corrections told The Oklahoman’s editorial board on Tuesday that he also wants to pay for expected increases in utility bills.
He praised the Legislature for its attention to the problems his department currently faces, but adds that it’ll continue to face challenges in the future. The department saw a 3 percent increase in its budget for 2016.
The number of inmates at state prisons is expected to grow by another 1,200 by this time next year. Around 27,500 inmates currently are at the facilities.
Patton adds that there aren’t enough correctional officers.