VINITA, Okla. (AP) — The director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections says the prison system is out of space for female offenders.
DOC Director Justin Jones said Friday following a Board of Corrections meeting in Vinita that fewer women are being released this year while more women are being convicted and sent to prison.
He says the increase is due to some convicts being required to serve 85 percent of a sentence in addition to enhanced punishments for others.
Jones says the department took in 1,198 female inmates last year and released 1,162. He says the agency is projected to receive 1,242 women this year and expects to release 1,131.