March 4, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections expects to open seven prisons to normal operations Wednesday if prison staff determine no risk remains at those facilities. However North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre appears to remain on lockdown.
According to a press release from the Department of Corrections, the agency initiated a statewide lockdown of prisons, including North Fork Correctional, after more than a half dozen inmates at Mack Alford Correctional Center caused a disturbance. No inmates were seriously injured, and no staff were harmed. Staff will evaluate each prison for any continued risk and lift the lockdown as appropriate.
Facilities expected to be lifted from lockdown Wednesday are Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, Kate Barnard Correctional Center, Eddie Warrior Correctional Center, Bill Johnson Correctional Center, Howard McLeod Correctional Center, Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center and John H. Lilley Correctional Center.
The D.O.C. says visitation will be reinstated at the seven facilities when they return to normal operations.
For the remaining facilities, the public should check the department’s social media before planning visitation.
