By C1 Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Director of the Department of Corrections has received several security upgrades, following threatening phone calls and emails that stem from a ‘botched’ execution in April.
Director Robert Patton is now accompanied by body guards and is driven around in a $40K bullet-resistant SUV that is driven by members of the Corrections Department’s Office of Inspector General, according to CBS News.
The purchase of the SUV was approved by the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
“After speaking directly with the Department of Corrections, there is definite concern due to specific threats against the life of the Director of the Department of Corrections related to the recent execution case,” the office’s state fleet manager, Terry Zuniga, said.
“I cannot in good conscience put him at risk,” Zuniga continued. “As a result, Fleet will approve this request.”
The execution in question is that of Clayton Lockett, who writhed, moaned and clenched his teeth for several minutes after the lethal injection began.
The threatening emails were sent to the Office of Inspector General, according to DOC spokesman Jerry Massie. The phone calls could not be traced.
Patton replaced Justin Jones after Jones resigned. Patton does not have 24-hour security every day, only when he travels. Specifics of the security detail were not given.