McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has named a new interim warden for the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.
Department of Corrections Interim Director Joe Allbaugh said Wednesday that Kevin Duckworth has been named interim warden at the prison, which houses death row.
All executions in Oklahoma are now on hold as a grand jury investigates the state's lethal-injection procedures. Former Warden Anita Trammell was among three key officials to resign after showing up to testify before the grand jury.
Duckworth, of Norman, has 23 years of corrections experience. Most recently, he worked in Denver at a national provider of rehabilitative services for inmates in re-entry and in-prison treatment facilities. He succeeds Warden Jerry Chrisman, who has been serving as warden of both Jackie Brannon Correctional Center and Oklahoma State Penitentiary since December.