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Oklahoma’s most violent prison to end state contract
news
June 26, 2024
Oklahoma’s most violent prison to end state contract
By HEATHER WARLICK AND RUBY TOPALIAN OKLAHOMA WATCH,

Lawton Correctional Facility, the last statecontracted private prison in Oklahoma, may soon close.

The prison’s owner/ operator, The GEO Group, a corporation that owns and operates private prisons nationwide, informed the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, or ODOC, and Oklahoma Senate leadership through a letter received Friday that it will not renew the state contract for its operation of the prison.

GEO gave the state three months to move 2,616 inmates housed in the Lawton Correctional Facility, starting July 1.

According to the Department of Corrections, the correctional facility is the most violent prison in Oklahoma with several concerning incidents making headlines in the last few months, including the homicide of a prisoner whose body went undiscovered in a trash can for several hours.

The decision to discontinue the contract was based at least partially on Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto, which de-nied GEO a $3 million raise on top of the $48 million the state pays to GEO annually.

Before Stitt’s veto, GEO appealed to ODOC for the additional money but was denied; over the last four years, the state increased funding to GEO by $6.8 million.

“In recent years, wage inflation and staffing shortages, following the COVID pandemic, have negatively impacted staff recruitment and retention at all state correctional facilities,” a GEO spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to Oklahoma Watch.

The Department of Corrections Board of Directors is weighing options for the prison, its inmates and staff. The board is expected to release a statement Wednesday.

GEO still has interests in Oklahoma as the owner of the buildings that house the Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton. GEO is not involved in the daily operations of that prison, which is leased to the state.

In a statement to Oklahoma Watch, GEO indicated that it would consider renegotiating contract terms for the Lawton Correctional Facility.

Eufaula Memorial Library
A: Main, news
Eufaula Memorial Library
July 2, 2025
A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
A: Main, news
A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
news
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 2, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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