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Rader Center could face chopping block
The Board of Juvenile Affairs is discussing a new private prison that could result in a closing.
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published:
6/20/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 6/20/2009 3:40 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Board of Juvenile Affairs is discussing whether to build a private prison that could result in closing an existing one, possibly the aging L.E. Rader Center in Sand Springs.
To pay for such a move, one or more public prisons such as the Rader Center would have to be closed, said Gene Christian, executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Christian placed the item on the June regular board meeting agenda to start the discussion about privatization. No vote was taken during the meeting Friday.
Christian said the board needs to discuss all the options and determine whether privatization would save the agency money.
The agency operates Rader — the state's only maximum-security prison for juveniles — as well as the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Tecumseh and the Southwestern Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Manitou.
Rader has 94 medium-security beds, 42 maximum-security beds, six special-care beds and six behavioral health beds. The Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center has 116 medium-security beds. The Southwestern Oklahoma Juvenile Center has 78 medium-security beds.
"Many have design or structural problems," Christian said. "Rader is the one we have the greatest concerns about."
At the board's July 17 meeting, it will discuss issuing requests for proposals or invitations to bid for a private prison that would not exceed 150 beds.
The board also will discuss requests for proposals or invitations to bid on private management and operation of a new prison.
The inclusion of the items on the agenda serves as a heads-up to the public and employees that the issue needs to be discussed, he said.
Board Chairman Gary A. Taylor said, "Moving down this road is a serious consideration for this board."
Taylor said he also feels that it is important that a new state-run facility also is considered.
Christian said assaults on staff members have increased, driven in part by antiquated facilities and more violent youths.
The Oklahoma Public Employees Association opposes privatizing juvenile prisons.
Scott Barger, the OPEA's deputy director, said, "We have supported and will continue to support state-run juvenile services, but OPEA will not sit idly by and watch private profiteers use political pressure to take advantage of the state of Oklahoma during these difficult economic times."
The state Department of Corrections contracts with private prisons to house state inmates.
Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
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justiceawaits
, Claremore (6/20/2009 7:30:07 AM)
Lift the tobbaco ban in the prisons.
You have a whole lot of nonviolent offenders doing extra time for violating the tobbaco policy.
The ban drove all of the nonsmokers out of the smoking areas and into the dorms where the second hand smoke is now ten times as bad as it used to be.
There is just as much tobbaco getting into the prisons as there used to be,only now the inmates with connections are profitting instead of the canteen.
The state is losing money and bedspace that could be being used to lock up violent offenders.
The DOC is not going to tell You this because they want increased funding and job security.
Report Comment
MarkB
, Oklahoma City (6/20/2009 7:40:37 AM)
Justice, this board has nothing to do with the prisons, this is the Juvenile board
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scooter2
, (6/20/2009 9:19:15 AM)
Violence has risen highly among the youth of this country..Everyday it's a young person committing a violent crime. What we need is a revival among our young people. Only Jesus can change them permanently. We have to pray for the youth of this country that God will turn them around. It is sad to see them destroying each other and their families..
Report Comment
scooter2
, (6/20/2009 9:28:29 AM)
Hopefully after the investigation, they find out he didn't do it. Just because he apologized because he thought she woke the neighbors is poor evidence he did this.. The mother who was dating him should have seen signs as he interacted with her child.. But just because someone is Nice to you doesn't mean they're nice to everyone..
Report Comment
scooter2
, (6/20/2009 9:29:33 AM)
oops second comment on wrong page computer mistake.
Report Comment
Graychin
, Eucha (6/20/2009 9:33:45 AM)
Justiceawaits makes some good points.
Private prisons are evil. They lobby legislators to lock up more people, for longer terms. No one should have a financial incentive to lock up MORE people.
Private JUVENILE prisons? Read about this case: "Hundreds of Pennsylvania juvenile convictions reversed over judge who took millions in bribes"
cleveland DOT com/nation/index.ssf/2009/03/hundreds_of_pennsylvania_juven.html
Report Comment
blueeyecherokee
, (6/20/2009 7:10:31 PM)
OJA has money earmarked to renovate Rader so why isn't that money being used for this purpose? Is it better to shut the doors on the youth who receive treatment or is it better to warehouse them in a privately run institution where they receive none? It is always about the cost and never about the person and in this case the kids who have always had the doors shut on them. I say don't close the doors to the Rader Center but open it wider for those in need to come in.
Report Comment
cowgirlluvshercat
, (6/22/2009 8:42:47 PM)
it puzzles me that in the information age we live in that so much gets lost and we are only told what others want us to know..... Rader has a budget thats almost doubles the other centers as well as a fifty (50) year YOUNGER facility and they can not manage. The facility in Tecumseh was built in the early 20's and these building are still used today! yes we as a state and country have more violent youth. As for the assaults on state employees, the problems start when we have more restrictions for the staff that are being assaulted than for the juveniles. When a juvenile assaults an employee the are given a hearing and if found to be guilty of assault they get to write a letter or lose a small privilage. The incident is reported to that counties DA but rarely are any charges filed! If an employee uses foul language while talking to a juvenile they are potentially fired from state employment!!!!These are but a very few of the REAL things that take place. These the kinds of policies that are handed down from the pencil pushers who work in the state office, who MANY MANY years ago worked a facility, however the facilities and youth are not the same today as they were then. In our society today if you give a person an inch they WILL take a mile! The youth of today are smarter and more violent due to the environments they come from. I do not advocate for abusing any juvenile, but i would be willing to bet you my pay having a juvenile threaten your life, assault you numerous times or throw urine or feces on you, and you would be screaming to anyone who would listen that you can not give the young people you are charged with helping and holding accountable for their actions, more control and boundries than the employees!!!!! Building a PRIVATE facility would only house the juveniles and it might save the state money on paper but how much will it cost the state in unemployement, early retirements, and unused leave pay-outs? it again bet you i will be MUCH MUCH more!
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