By: Hunter McKee
OKLAHOMA CITY -
Jesus Rubio was later caught and placed back into custody, but this is now the third inmate to escape since July.
About 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, 11 detainees were being transported to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Greg Williams with the detention center said.
“They drive their vehicle into this alley port, and that’s where they get out of their vehicles and enter the jail,” said Williams.
That s when Rubio was able to escape. Williams said Rubio he walked through a garage door which was left open. He admits this was a procedural issue.
“We have briefed this situation this morning, and I have begun working with my staff to identify any weaknesses of what we might have,” said Williams.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections is easing prison lockdowns across the state.
Prisoners’ movements have been restricted since late November after more than 20 people were assaulted in gang fights at three male prisons.
Only prisoners who are members of the three gangs involved in the fighting United Aryan Brotherhood, Sureños and Paisas will remain locked down. Most other prisoners in the state will be allowed to access recreational areas, educational opportunities and other programs.
The corrections agency said in a press release COVID-19 protocols requiring social distancing and masking will stay in place. Visitation is still prohibited. -
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The head of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is hopeful they can start vaccinating inmates against COVID-19 in mid- to late February. DOC Director
January 20, 2021
A story from KOCO TV in Oklahoma City Monday was headlined “Data shows significant spread of Covid-19 in rural Oklahoma counties.” Using an analysis by Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health, the article states “hot spots can be seen in counties like Roger Mills, Adair, Love and Alfalfa, with developing hot spots in south-central Oklahoma.”
The analysis compares the per capita number of cases around the state. The Center for Rural Health says there have been 90 deaths per 100,000 people in in rural areas this month compared to 71 in urban areas.
Oklahoma’s number of positive cases has dropped in the past couple of days with 36,136 active cases as of Tuesday, Jan. 19, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). Alfalfa County has 71 active cases and five deaths as of Tuesday. The county had a population of 5,642 in 2020. Meanwhile, Woods County with a population of 8,563 has 63 active cases and a total of five deaths.