In Oklahoma, Building More Prisons Has Solved No Problems

Abstract

In 1973, Oklahoma State Penitentiary exploded in the costliest prison riot in American history. In the wake of that riot, Oklahoma adopted a Master Plan which called for lowering populations in the overcrowded prisons, primarily by reducing the state's incarceration rate-then as now twice the national average—and partly by new prison construction. Since 1975, Oklahoma has built 2,000 new spaces for prisoners, but its harsh sentenc ing policies remain unchanged; for several years, use of parole decreased instead of increasing, and, with the exception of a restitution program, community-based nonincarcerative alternatives are minimal. As a result, the building program has not kept pace with the rising commitments, and the prison system still does not provide humane, constitutionally adequate living conditions. A court order in September 1978 required the state to rebuild or shut down the two major institutions and to meet a timetable for upgrading prison living conditions. In May 1979, the court approved a compromise plan submitted by the state and extended the deadlines for compliance. The last of the deadlines must be met by January 1982.