OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, on Wednesday held an interim study on Oklahoma prison conditions. The study will be before the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, which Humphrey chairs.

"I've talked many times about the deplorable conditions in Oklahoma prisons that not only affect prisoners but also their family members and the public at large, including the Oklahoma taxpayer," Humphrey said. "These conditions include numerous allegations of rape, murder, inhumane conditions, extortion and more. Today's study is an attempt to force an independent investigation into the Oklahoma Department of Corrections."

Humphrey dedicated the study to the family of Mar'Quiel Ross, who recently was killed while incarcerated in a state prison. He issued a citation in Ross' honor, declaring he will seek to discover the whole truth behind Ross' death. 

Humphrey shared documents that showed Ross should have been housed in a minimum security prison because of his sentence – he was the passenger in an allegedly stolen vehicle. Instead, Ross was placed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, the highest security prison in the state. Ross also was not released when he should have been, Humphrey said. Instead, he says he has more than enough records to show the release date was altered to cover up Ross' death at the hands and feet of other inmates.

Ross' family said they were notified of the death of their loved one by another inmate and only contacted by the Department of Corrections (DOC) seven days after his body had been taken to a funeral home, Humphrey said.

Humphrey also showed several graphic videos of inmate violence, including a prisoner being stomped and beaten until he was bloody and incoherent.

Additional study presenters included Attorney Matt Frisby who discussed what he says is an increased number of wrongful terminations of Oklahoma Department of Corrections employees. He spoke on his success in representing many of these employees and the cost to DOC when the cases are appealed in district court.

Frisby said prior to January 2023, he had only two cases appealed. Since that date, every case he's won has been appealed, with at least a dozen pending. He said DOC doesn't bother to put together its own case in these appeals or bring forth any witnesses. Instead, the attitude seems to be, "We are DOC, and we shouldn't be questioned," he said. He also shared that the cost of hiring attorneys to appeal the cases are between $270 and $500 per hour.

Jason Lemons, a 22-year former correctional officer, said he retired because of staff shortages and the unwillingness of DOC leadership to properly address security concerns. He accused DOC of falsifying manpower reports, and said there's not enough staff to run the prisons safely. He also said security changes under current department leadership is resulting in more contraband, including illegal drugs, being brought into the facilities. If something is not fixed, the state will have a prison riot, he said.

DOC whistleblower Dr. Whitney Louis reported on the investigation into her whistleblower and rape allegations as a long-time prison psychologist. She said she was reprimanded and later fired for reporting cases of abuse. Two separate judges have ruled the department has to restore her job, but that has not been done. Her case is now in district court, where she said her own tax dollars are going to fight against herself. She related multiple cases she said she witnessed of inmates being mistreated and denied adequate care. She said she herself was sexually assaulted by a prison employee. Louis previously presented to the committee.

Justice reform advocate Emily Barnes detailed her history in starting Hooked on Justice. She shared reports of incidences of violence and inhumane conditions for inmates in Oklahoma prisons and the effects those have on family members of those incarcerated.

Former DOC warden Luke Pettigrew discussed his experience in the corrections' system and spoke about current vs. past conditions. He said having prison knowledge and prison experience are two different things, and in his experience prisons are less secure than in the past because of understaffing and a lack of experience in leadership."

Pettigrew said at one time the director's position required a master's degree. Now, it requires no degree and five years of professional experience. Deputy directors are still required to have a master's degree. So, it takes less to be the director, he said.

"Contraband is at its highest," he said. "I've been told here recently by inmates that the value of drugs in prisons is now at street value because of the increase in supply. DOC does not have enough staff in prison to hold inmates accountable for the ones who want to be troublemakers and drug users and things like that."

Bobby Cleveland, executive director of Oklahoma Corrections Professionals (OCP), reported on what he says are poor conditions in state prisons caused in part by a shortage of staff and DOC's alleged refusal to work with OCP.

"They don't respect the inmates, and they don't respect the employees," Cleveland said.

Humphrey said under former directors, many potential lawsuits against the department were dropped, saving taxpayers money, because of the department's willingness to work with correctional employees and lawmakers. 

Humphrey said if he can't get an outside investigation into the department he will pursue a grand jury trial.