Published: June 09, 2009 10:18 pm         

State senator says Crabtree closing rumors untrue

HELENA — James Crabtree Correctional Center will remain open, despite rumors that circulated during the recent legislative session the prison could be closed.

Prison employees and Alfalfa County residents had expressed concern after a study commissioned by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee showed many correctional centers around the state had old buildings and possibly should be closed. State Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, who represents part of the area, said the prison, which he called the driving economic force in the county, is not in jeopardy.

“Over my dead body will they close Crabtree Correctional Center,” Myers said, repeating a comment he made during the legislative session.

He spoke Tuesday during a town hall meeting at the prison.

Warden David Parker said the center contributes about $14 million to the area economy each year and pays about $20,000 per month to the town of Helena. It is the major employer in Alfalfa County, he said.

Myers and other legislators at Tuesday’s meeting emphasized Department of Corrections was held harmless during the session, meaning it will operate with the same budget as it had the previous fiscal year.

State Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, said he was familiar with the rumor but also knows of the prison’s efficiency. He said other members of the Legislature also know that.

“It’s very efficient, but could be even more efficient with investments that would allow more flexibility of staff and use of buildings,” he said.

State Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Newcastle, is chairman of the judiciary subcommittee in the Senate and said Oklahoma’s correctional system is one of the most efficient in America.

“As long as there is a budget, there will be rumors of facilities closing,” he said.

Also present Tuesday was state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. Terrill is chairman of the House Public Safety and Judiciary Committee. He reassured employees Crabtree “isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.”

The Alva native told the audience not to believe those rumors. He urged them to beware of cost comparisons, because they do not always identify the problem. Plugging his House Bill 2245, which deals with illegal aliens in the state, Terrill said the legislation may relieve some DOC costs by removing some illegal alien inmates from the state.

Also present was state Rep. Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City and a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, who told Crabtree employees they were part of the law enforcement family and urged them to come to him with problems.

The remainder of the meeting was taken up with employees and residents of area communities questioning the legislators about their local problems.