Oklahoma State Penitentiary
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Oklahoma State Penitentiary is the chief detention facility in Oklahoma, United States of America.
[edit] Construction and early years
Construction of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary began in 1908 when the Oklahoma Legislature set aside 1,556 acres of land northwest of McAlester and appropriated $850,000 for the state's first prison. Prior to statehood in 1907, all felons convicted in Oklahoma Territory were sent to the Kansas State Penitentiary.
The West Cellhouse and Administration Building were the first structures completed at the penitentiary site. The Rotunda and East Cellhouse were added later and additional buildings have been constructed on an as-needed basis.
In order to provide work for the inmates, an industry program was developed. A tailor shop, shoe manufacturing plant, and cane mill were among the first industry programs implemented.
The first prison escape (from behind the walls) occurred on January 19, 1914. Three inmates stole a gun in the escape attempt. They killed three prison employees and a federal judge. The convicts were later killed behind a rock ledge located on a ridge overlooking a wagon road.
At first, women inmates were housed on the fourth floor of the West Cellhouse. The female population had grown to 26 by the time a separate building about one mile west of the main institution was completed in 1926. An "F" cellhouse was added in 1935, and later the New Cellhouse was constructed.
[edit] Quality of facilities
The most costly prison riot in the history of the USA broke out on July 27, 1973. Damage was estimated to be between $20 million and $40 million.
A federal court in 1978 found conditions at the penitentiary unconstitutional. Consequently, four new housing units were built and in 1984 the aging East and West Cellhouses were closed. In 1983, all female inmates were moved to Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in Oklahoma City.
On December 17, 1985, the inmates became disruptive and attempted to gain control of and take hostages on the first floor of the "F" cellhouse. They were unsuccessful in this area, but were able to control and take hostages on A and C units. Five employees were taken hostage and there was destruction totaling approximately $375,000 to the two units. The inmates on C Unit seriously wounded three of their hostages which resulted in permanent physical injuries to two of the officers. These officers were released in order to receive medical attention. The remaining officers were released at approximately 11:30 a.m. on December 18.
The ultimate result of this very serious incident was a total change in the operation of OSP. Very tight security was imposed. Inmates were allowed to move freely, but had to move in small groups escorted by security staff. Recreation was limited to one hour per day. A level system was implemented, requiring inmates to advance from the lowest to the highest level before a transfer to another facility would be considered.
The Talawanda Heights Minimum Security Unit was opened outside the East Gate Area in October of 1989 to house inmates utilized by the host facility in institutional support positions.
A special care unit was opened July 20, 1992, to ensure that the needs of special management offenders are met. This unit provides mental health care to offenders, thereby reducing the need for long-term hospitalization outside the facility.
A medium security unit with a capacity of 140 inmates is located on "G" and "I" units. It is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for medium security inmates to more successfully adjust to the transition to a lower security classification.
The newest addition, "H Unit," provides new quarters for disciplinary segregation inmates, death row, and the lethal injection death chamber. H Unit also houses Administrative Segregation and Level III general population inmates. Oklahoma has executed a total of 91 men between 1915 and 1996. Eighty-two were executed by electrocution, one by hanging (a federal prisoner), and seven by lethal injection.
