Advocates raise concerns about prison conditions

Inmate advocates say they are concerned about the conditions at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft after more than half the population there tested positive for COVID-19.

Susan Es co, aboard member for Oklahoma for Criminal Justice Reform, recently wrote a letter to state leaders seeking to improve conditions at the female, minimum security facility in Taft.

The facility is an open dorm-style prison, making isolation and qua ranti ne for infected inmates challenging.

On Wednesday, the agency's website indicated 583 offenders and 15 staff members had tested positive for COVID-19.

Es co said she has been told inmates are getting small portions of food that are high in carbohydrates — something that she suggested will not help provide any possible protections to minimize infection.

Esco was also concerned that low staffing rates and the inability of inmates to spend time outside increased transmission probability.

Because visitation and volunteer programs have been suspended, volunteers can't get inside to see what is going on, she said. In addition, Esco has been told that female inmates housed inside the facility have to wear a single mask for long periods of time.

"These are human beings who are sick and struggling in the midst of a crisis and need to be treated as more than offenders and inmates," she said.

Esco said she and others have heard from enough women about the condi ti ons, which provides validity to the statements.

"I don' t think all of that is accurate ," said Jessica Brown, Oklahoma Department of Corrections chief of strategic engagement.

Justin Wolf, Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesman, said meals are approved by a dietitian.

In addition, inmates are receiving medication and medical staff is making the rounds on the units, he said.

Department of Corrections officials say inmates are also being provided masks and cleaning products to use.

Brown said the facility has been provided 42,000 paper masks, more t han 3 , 3 00 cloth masks, more than 500 K 95 mask sand 186 large bottles of hand sanitizer. In addition, the facility has been provided rubbing alcohol, bleach and disinfectant, Brown said.

The stockpile of supplies, Wolf said, are currently enough for inmates and prison staff.