On June 1, 2017, the Great Plains Correctional facility, a 375-thousand square foot, medium security prison, located just south of I-40 in Hinton, Oklahoma will mark the two-year anniversary for the reopening of the facility in
Hinton.
And, after two full years, the Town of Hinton and GEO officials agree the prison reopening has been a win-win for both parties.
“It’s been a big boost to the Town of Hinton’s economy with that many jobs and that many more people spending money in the town,” Hinton Mayor Shelly Newton said. “They have been good for the town all the way around. We’re very glad to have them and they just make our town stronger...They’re not only the biggest employer in town, but they’re a part of our community, so it’s a great relationship.”
The prison admits 1,902 Federal males, who are low-security prisoners housed primarily
for drug and immigration offenses.
The GEO Group is a Florida based company that owns or manages more than one hundred correctional, detention and residential treatment facilities. The GEO Group has a staff of more than 19,000 in total and maintains Federal,
state and local government contracts. The GEO Group gained ownership of the Great Plains Correctional facility in August 2010, and the FederalBureau of Prisons awarded the Great Plains contract for the operation of the facility and the management of almost two thousand prisoners to the GEO Group two years ago.
Not only has the facility boosted the town’s economy, but members of the prison are
heavily involved throughout the community.
The Great Plains Correctional Warden, Robert
Farley, also serves as the Hinton Chamber of Commerce president, and is a part of the
Hinton Steering Committee and the Promote Hinton Committee.
“We believe it is extremely important to be involved in the community,” Farley said. “As
the town’s largest employer, we are invested in the community. For example, our staff has
participated and supported the Hinton Appreciation Day, worked at the fair, sponsored
floats and participated in the Christmas parade. We have sponsored scholarships for
Caddo County high schools, provided contributions to Caddo County law enforcement
agencies for uniforms and specialized equipment, assisted the town library in securing a grant for language translation modules, and sponsored multiple blood drives. Great Plains also conducts fund raisers for the Lone Survivor
Foundation and this past year we exceeded our goal of raising over $10,000.”
According to Warden Farley, the prison’s average daily inmate population hovers at full capacity and 305 employees is approximately 85 percent filled and the prison is “continually seeking qualified candidates for employment”.
A job fair was held in Hinton at the HEDA building
on Saturday, May 20, as the prison is preparing to add another 10-15 employees based on the turnout.
Farley credits the hardworking staff being natives to Oklahoma, and surrounding communities as 53 percent of the facilities work force are residents of Caddo County.
At the start of the second year in Hinton, the facility received the initial American Correctional Association accreditation, which is the official
arbiter of accreditation status for all facilities and agencies.
“We continue to meet or exceed standards set forth in internal and external audit of our facility operations,” Farley said.
