The State of Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections has leased a new private facility in far western Oklahoma, near Sayre. The state began moving inmates there last Tuesday, reports KGOU.
The new facility will mark the first time the state has utilized a private facility to house inmates, though state employees will run the prison. The facility is owned by Corrections Corporation of America.
The prison has modern amenities, and Warden Tracy McCollum is excited about using touch screens instead of toggle switches to lock cells.
“This is an awesome place. It's newer, it's shinier, it's flashier. It's got newer technology. Everything about it is impressive. Who wouldn't want to work here?” McCollum explained.