Oklahoma § 57-222 - Use of prison labor on private property prohibited Exceptions - Definitions - Purpose of work performed

§ 57-222. Use of prison labor on private property prohibited Exceptions - Definitions - Purpose of work performed

A. It shall be unlawful to use prisoners assigned to said

public works project on any property other than public property,

except that inmate labor may be used on private property for a

public purpose.

B. As used in this section "public purpose" means a purpose

affecting the inhabitants of the state or political subdivision

utilizing the inmate labor, as a group, and not merely as

individuals. The work performed shall be essentially public and for

the general good of the inhabitants of the state or political

subdivision, and may include eradication of graffiti on private

buildings or harvesting Eastern Red Cedar trees. For purposes of

this section:

1. "Graffiti" shall include but not be limited to any

inscription, slogan or drawing, crudely scratched, drawn, printed,

painted or scribbled on a wall or other surface visible to the

public and which is likely to endanger the health or safety of the

public. Provided, however, that this definition shall never be

construed to include any sign or advertising device lawfully erected

or installed by the owner of property, lessee or authorized agent;

and

2. "Owner" means the owner of record as shown by the most

current tax rolls of the county treasurer.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 57. Prisons and Reformatories

C. The purpose of the work performed shall be to aid the

federal government, a state agency or a political subdivision,

utilizing the inmate labor in the exercise of a governmental

function. Any person convicted of willfully violating the

provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class D1 felony

offense and shall be punished by imprisonment as provided for in

subsections B through F of Section 20N of Title 21 of the Oklahoma

Statutes.

Added by Laws 1975, c. 211, § 8, emerg. eff. May 27, 1975. Amended

by Laws 1989, c. 92, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989; Laws 1991, c. 145, § 6,

eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Laws 1992, c. 160, § 1, emerg. eff. May 5, 1992;

Laws 1997, c. 133, § 504, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2012, c. 219, § 1,

eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2025, c. 486, § 528, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective

date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 504 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.