Department of Corrections cites technology rollouts, hiring gains and $3.6M medical savings from 340B partnership

Director Harp, director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, told the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary that the agency has implemented multiple technology and operational changes — including ICON expansion and body‑worn cameras — and projects an annual medical-services savings tied to a 340B drug‑pricing partnership.

The director said the department deployed body‑worn cameras across facilities, completed additional ICON modules to digitize counts and incident reports, and established a partnership with Lindsay Hospital to access reduced outpatient drug pricing under the 340B program. Chief Financial Officer Ashley Clemons told the committee the department expects roughly $3,600,000 in year‑over‑year savings in fiscal 2025 tied to the 340B arrangement, with additional savings planned for 2026.

On staffing, the department reported a budgeted full‑time equivalent (FTE) count of 4,152 and 405 budgeted but unfilled positions. Director Harp highlighted recruitment and retention improvements: since May 2023 the agency graduated 369 officers and retained 57% of them overall, while in the past 365 days the department graduated 278 officers and retained 83% of that cohort. Harp said retention gains reflect changes to the academy, new leadership in facilities and targeted pay adjustments.

The department presented operational safety metrics the director described as improving year over year. He said inmate‑on‑inmate assaults with serious injury fell from 445 in 2023 to 385 in 2024 and that fiscal 2025 had recorded 175 such incidents to date. Inmate‑on‑staff assaults were reported at 20 in 2023 and 20 in 2024, with four so far in fiscal 2025.

Director Harp discussed a potential real‑estate transaction: he said GEO (a private corrections operator) had offered to sell a facility to the state for $314,000,000 and that the department had asked OMES for an assessment before further action. He framed the option as one possible strategy to address aging infrastructure and capacity needs and said the department would consult the Legislature and the governor’s office on any purchase decision.

Planned projects include integrating body‑worn cameras with facial‑recognition and other AI tools to reduce repetitive tasks such as daily counts, procuring new tasers for officers, expanding telehealth partnerships, and issuing RFPs for canteen, food‑service and pharmacy contracts. Harp said some of these procurements could change operational costs and service delivery models across facilities.

Clemons walked the committee through historical appropriations, revolving fund balances and the FY 2025 appropriation, and explained that the department is seeking recurring funding to cover employee benefit increases and to sustain recurring costs for body‑worn camera contracts that were initially funded with one‑time carryover.

The department’s presentation closed after questions from committee members; no formal appropriations votes were recorded during the hearing segment.