NCJ Number
68760
Date Published
1979
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM FOUND THAT THE OKLAHOMA BOARD OF CORRECTIONS SHOWED INEPTITUDE AND BAD FAITH CONCERNING APPROPRIATION BILLS AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Abstract
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS CREATED IN APRIL 1979 TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND ITS DIRECTOR, DR. NED BENTON. THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES QUESTIONED THE FUNDS REQUESTED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OF THE STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. IN VIEW OF KNOWN SQUARE FOOT CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND CURRENT PRICES FOR BUILDING MATERIALS THE COST ESTIMATES APPEARED EXCESSIVE. THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT THE BOARD OF CORRECTIONS SHOWED LACK OF EXPERTISE AND GUIDELINES IN CHOOSING THE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF MURRAY JONES MURRAY, INC./MOYER AND ASSOCIATES FOR THIS PROJECT. THE COMMITTEE ALSO CHARGED POLITICAL MOTIVATION IN THE TIMING OF DR. BENTON'S DISMISSAL OF DR. PAUL INBODY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT, FOR ABUSING HIS POSITION BY APPROPRIATING PERSONNEL, MATERIAL, AND TRANSPORTATION FOR HIS PERSONAL USE. THE COMMITTEE AGREED WITH THE DISMISSAL BUT ACCUSED DR. BENTON OF DELAYING IT TO DISCREDIT DR. INBODY'S STATEMENTS TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE. AFTER ITS INVESTIGATION THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE TERMINATION OF DR. BENTON FROM EMPLOYMENT AS THE DIRECTOR. SEVERAL OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE TO AVOID FRAUD AND WASTE IN THE FUTURE, SUCH AS A COMPLETE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE IN SELECTING ARCHITECTS FOR FUTURE CONTRACTS. A LIST OF THE EXHIBITS ENTERED INTO EVIDENCE IS INCLUDED. (ELP)