Seth Marsicano

LAWTON, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) has officially taken ownership over the Red Rock Correctional Center (RRCC), formerly known as the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, the state’s last privately operated prison.

“This is the third for-profit prison I’ve closed since becoming governor, and we’ve worked to give tens of thousands of people the opportunity for a second chance,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt in a press release from the Department of Corrections. “The private prison in Lawton has had a terrible reputation for years, and now we get to bring that second chance mindset to those in custody in Lawton. I look forward to the positive changes that the Department of Corrections will implement there.”

Over the past several months, ODOC officials have been working to prepare the facility and staff for the transition. When the changeover began, there were 363 employees on GEO’s roster. Multiple state officials have stated the largest asset of this purchase was the workforce. While every Lawton prison employee was offered a job pending the passage of a background check, as of day one of the transition, the Red Rock Correctional Center has 336 employees. The vacancies, according to ODOC officials, are mostly administrative and support staff with the facility retaining near 100% of security staff.

“Everyone, staff and inmates, are excited and anxious about the change but are hopeful and ready,” said an Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesperson.

As far as the condition of the facility goes, an assessment was completed on July 9 detailing the current state of the prison. While a majority of the 50-page document was redacted due to sensitive information and potential security risks, according to ODOC officials, the Executive Summary of the report goes over the condition of the building built back in 1998 and the operational standards such as the physical layout and current control systems. Recommendations to help with the facility takeover are also included.

ODOC officials said the prison in Lawton is the youngest one in the state with the buildings in “excellent” condition, according to the report. When looking at the capital needs, just over $23 million will be needed in the short term with a majority of the funding going towards housing units. Nearly four times as much, around $87 million, will be needed for long term upkeep. Overall, the public release of the report stated it will cost around $5 million annually to maintain the facility in its current condition.

The press release stated this purchase “reflects a long-term investment in better outcomes for both staff and the incarcerated”. 

The RRCC has also named a new interim warden to take on this changeover. David Rogers has 36 years of law enforcement and corrections experience. Rogers previously served as the Joseph Harp Correction Center warden in Lexington, OK. 

The department will be looking to make some operational adjustments as well as provide inmates with more rec time and programs, but that will come within the next few months as things adjust.