Tulsa World: Inmates transferred to feds

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Inmates transferred to feds
State prison officials turn over 22 illegal immigrant inmates to immigration agents.

Twenty-two inmates were transferred from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents just before sunrise Thursday at the John Lilley corrections facility in Boley. The prisoners, who are illegal immigrants, will be deported to their home countries. Jim Beckel/ The Oklahoman

By JULIE BISBEE NewsOK.com
Published: 7/24/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 7/24/2009 5:01 AM

BOLEY — Illegal immigrant inmates who were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers could be in their home countries by next week, federal officials said.

The state Department of Corrections transferred 22 inmates to federal custody Thursday. It was the state's first large transfer of illegal immigrant inmates since legislation allowing for it was signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry in June.

The law allows inmates who are not in the country legally to be turned over to federal custody for deportation if they have been convicted of a nonviolent crime and have served at least one-third of their prison sentences.

Supporters of the law say it saves the state money and frees prison beds. Opponents say deported inmates might not realize that, although they are released from prison early, they likely will have no legal avenue to return to the United States.

Fifty-four inmates have been turned over for deportation since the law took effect.

"What happened is very important to the Department of Corrections and taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma," said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, who wrote the legislation. "This will ultimately produce a savings for them."

The state pays about $20,000 a year to house an inmate. Corrections officials estimate that about 541 illegal immigrants are in the state's prison system. Of those, 346 eventually will be eligible for deportation. Officials say 181 inmates are now eligible.

Twenty of the 22 men who were turned over to federal agents Thursday are from Mexico. One man is from El Salvador, and another is from Guatemala. Most are serving sentences for drug-trafficking, possession of controlled and dangerous substances, or possession of drugs with an intent to distribute.

Records of their unfinished prison sentences will remain in a national crime database, said Jim Rabon, administrator of the sentence administration and offender records unit for the Corrections Department.

If inmates return to the U.S. while their sentences are still active and they are picked up by law enforcement officers, they could be returned to Oklahoma to finish their sentences, Rabon said.

jbisbee@opubco.com By JULIE BISBEE NewsOK.com

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	Report Comment Tony G, Tulsa (7/24/2009 5:56:12 AM) I think, most will beat the bus, back onto American soil.
	Report Comment seymore1965, Tulsa (7/24/2009 6:52:30 AM) The illegals are probably figuring out how to cross the border, again, as we look at their picture.
	Report Comment justiceawaits, Claremore (7/24/2009 8:44:39 AM) Good, Now how about letting the US Citizen druggies out after serving one third of their sentences and put the violent offenders and child molesters in.
	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (7/24/2009 9:45:59 AM) Now whats the rest of the story?
	Report Comment moon, shine (7/24/2009 9:53:27 AM) Kick em out, slam the gate shut and permalock that sucker!
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/24/2009 11:58:48 AM) These hardworking criminals were just committing the crimes that American criminals were too lazy to do.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/24/2009 12:00:50 PM) I just noticed the teddy bear t-shirts. Can anyone read what they say?
	Report Comment Fred, Tulsa (7/24/2009 2:07:22 PM) tfromt, I read the comics in the TW every day and the print now is so small that I am trained as a tiny print translator. 2008 Run against Child Abuse. A nice use for leftover shirts, hey?
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (7/24/2009 4:50:16 PM) Fred - Thanks! you could probably make a career of it.

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