OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today issued the following statements about the Department of Corrections.

"Once again, I am compelled to report the horrendous inhuman handling and human rights violations of the Department of Corrections. On August 24, 2024, I received a very credible report from the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy. The reporter claimed that a mental health inmate was left in an outside cage for approximately four days with no bed or bathroom facilities. It is important to note temperatures were extreme during this period. Upon receiving the report, I emailed Director Harpe supplying dates, the inmate’s name, and his DOC number. I asked Director Harpe to confirm or deny this report. In typical fashion, the director refused to answer my request stating he must maintain confidentiality on an ongoing investigation. Therefore, I reached out to other sources to validate the accusations. I had multiple individuals confirm the report, and the report does appear to be true.

"On September 6, 2024, I received another credible report that the warden at this facility has been suspended from his duties. I find it incredible that the incident was approximately a month old, but Director Harpe took no action until I uncovered or exposed the incident. Reports indicate the warden was suspended due to a gross mishandling of the inmate extraction from the recreational cell/cage. Based on reports, the inmate extraction consisted of the inmate being pepper sprayed with a canister that is normally used to clear crowds or in situations like a riot. It is unclear why this amount of pepper spray would be applied on a mental health inmate. The inmate also reportedly was shot with a pepper gun. It is my understanding this is a gun that resembles an AKA but shoots pepper balls. Finally, the inmate was extracted with the use of a shield that delivers an electrical shock like a stun gun. The inmate was drenched with a larger canister of pepper spray, which should have been more than sufficient to achieve compliance. But reports are that this mental health inmate was subjected to being shot with pepper balls and then electrically shocked. I would not call that an inmate extraction, but I would say the department’s actions are equivalent to torture. I want to be clear, the Department of Corrections has not confirmed or acknowledged these incidents because Director Harpe deems himself  above legislative oversite and completely ignores any attempt to attain the truth. Removing the inmate would be considered a planned inmate extraction. Department policy requires selecting an extraction team and would require the extraction to be taped and narrated, therefore, the reports should be easy to confirm. The inmate and staff should be checked by medical to ensure no injuries occurred to prevent lawsuits. These records should be documented and reviewed.

"To complicate matters, I have received credible reports that Director Harpe is taking unnecessary trips approximately every other week. Reports indicate Oklahoma is paying his excessive salary of $275,000, plus paying for him to travel the nation with a small entourage to give speeches. I also am advised he may receive extra pay for being out of state . The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has some of the worst numbers in the United States and massive problems. Yet our zero-experience, zero-trained director is traveling the nation lecturing others on how to run prisons while his department is a catastrophic disaster. If these reports are true it should be simple to verify travel incentives.

"I am once again calling on Oklahoma's governmental leadership to stop ignoring the numerous reports of human rights violations. In the past year and half, I have requested investigations into numerous situations such as rapes, murders, extortions, reports of inmates being locked in small 2-foot-by-2-foot cells, withholding food, water and bathroom privileges. Many of my allegations have been confirmed and reported by news stations. I have requested subpoenas but have always been denied. I have watched while other agencies have received subpoenas for much less serious allegations. Enough is enough. It is time Oklahoma properly investigates the appalling conditions of the Department of Corrections."