Oklahoma § 57-509.6 - Special unit for elderly, disabled and sick inmates

§ 57-509.6. Special unit for elderly, disabled and sick inmates

The Department of Corrections is authorized, pursuant to the

Board of Corrections resolution on May 22, 1998 and subject to

legislative appropriation, to establish a special correctional unit

expansion at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington,

Oklahoma, designed solely for the imprisonment of elderly persons,

physically disabled persons, persons in need of infirmary care, and

persons in need of specialized care or treatment as an outpatient in

the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area in the custody of the

Department. The Department shall consider the unique needs of the

elderly offender and the physically disabled offender when designing

the unit or renovating an existing unit for this purpose and when

implementing any program or service for such persons.

Only the following offenders shall be eligible for placement in

the facility:

1. Persons age fifty-five (55) years or older who are deemed

not suitable for placement in the general population of another

facility;

2. Persons who are physically disabled upon reception into the

custody of the Department, or who become physically disabled during

the term of their incarceration within the custody of the

Department, and whose disability requires the continuous use of a

wheelchair or other special equipment, or whose disability requires

special assistance, services or accommodations which another

facility is not designed or equipped to meet;

3. Persons requiring an infirmary with twenty-four-hour nursing

care; and

4. Persons having appointments or other needs for medical

services which are provided at Griffin Memorial Hospital, University

Hospital or other medical facilities in the Oklahoma City

metropolitan area and that are coming from and returning to other

Department correctional facilities.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 418, § 66, eff. July 1, 1998. Amended by

Laws 2021, c. 285, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 57. Prisons and Reformatories