EDMOND — The Muskogee Phoenix on the DOC:
The state Department of Corrections says it believes three female inmates were sexually assaulted at the Governor’s Mansion and that’s cause to re-evaluate its work release program.
A DOC investigation released this month ended with the firing of the head chef and chief groundskeeper at the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City. A DOC spokesman said it believed the two workers employed by the Department of Central Services committed sexual battery, forcible sodomy and rape against the Hillside Community Corrections Center inmates in a building on the mansion’s grounds as early ago as March last year and as late as January of this year. The women did not make their accusations until this summer, after they were released.
The female inmates were part of an 11-woman team involved in the center’s horticulture program. They were not supervised by DOC guards, but by Central Services employees who received training from DOC.
DOC said as of now, there are no changes planned in the program.
We agree that rehabilitating inmates and reintegrating them into society is important, but it appears that DOC is not doing a very good job selecting its supervisors nor training them. That is cause for concern because if inmates are assaulted, state taxpayers are liable for the consequences. One inmate already has an attorney.
While DOC has been forthright about its investigation, it appears nonchalant about a program that apparently has flaws.
Oklahomans should still be upset, too, about an earlier incident at the Governor’s Mansion, in which three troopers falsified hours they worked.
In August, the Department of Public Safety lightly disciplined the troopers who made false claims about hours they worked at the mansion.
They should have been fired. If they had been working for a private firm, almost likely they would have been fired. Private employers do not appreciate being cheated, and taxpayers should not have to put up with it either.
Opinion
10-30 Editorial: other view
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
