7 Oklahoma inmates suing DOC after reportedly being housed in tiny showers

HINTON, Okla. (KFOR) - Seven inmates who say they were locked inside 3 by 3-foot showers at the Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton are suing the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC), Corrections Director Steven Harpe and several staff members.  

KFOR brought you this story back in October. 

The lawsuit filed April 9th alleges inmates were mistreated and forced to stay in unsanitary conditions. For some, they claim they were held for days at a time. Their attorneys argue their constitutional rights were violated with quote, “cruel and unusual punishment. 

“Their own people say that people were being held without food, without water for punishment... So they're calling their own employees liars. They come to a conclusion which seems like a lie... We'll see who comes out with the evidence. The evidence doesn't lie,” said Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane.  

Attorneys Richard Labarthe and Alexey Tarasov filed the lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court. They are representing seven inmates against the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Corrections Director Steven Harpe, and several staff members at the Great Plains Correction Center in Hinton. 

Representative JJ Humphrey says he’s working closely with the law firm to bring justice to the many inmates who claim gross negligence and inhumane treatment after they were reportedly housed in 3 by 3-foot showers last August. 

“We're going to prove J.J. Humphrey tells the truth and the Department of Corruptions is big, big liars,” said Rep. Humphrey, 

DOC officials releasing a statement saying Humphrey continues to perpetuate false narratives, pointing to the investigation conducted by DOC’s Office of Inspector General which found “inmates were placed in showers temporarily when they refused housing while waiting for a different cell to open...” 

DOC officials also say it was confirmed inmates were moved in and out of the showers all day, as well as given food, water and restroom breaks. 

But Humphrey says there is evidence that shows the opposite. 

“When you have a law firm file this type of lawsuit, you're going to have to have some evidence or they're not going to move forward,” said Rep. Humphrey. 

KFOR interviewed one inmate who shared his story. 

He said he was held in a shower for up to 24 hours after he asked to move out of a pod with gang members. He says he was locked in a shower as punishment. 

“I feel that we were being punished… I’m not a gang member, so I refused to be housed on a unit that’s all gang members,” said James Shelton, inmate at Great Plains Correctional Center.   

Shelton said he had no restroom breaks, blankets, or even a pillow to lie down on.  

“They expect you to use the restroom in the shower. And if you have a bowel movement, they want to bring a trash bag… If you just have to urinate, they want you to urinate in the drain,” said Shelton. 

The DOC states they’ve discontinued using showers as holding cells in all instances. 

“So, what you're admitting is, yes, we admitted that happened. They come out and said, oh, we're not doing this anymore... If you weren't doing anything wrong, then why did you quit doing what you're doing? said Rep. Humphrey.  

Humphrey says they are looking to add more inmates to the lawsuit because he claims there were allegedly up to 17 prisoners held in showers. 

Attorney Richard Labarthe sent KFOR the following statement regarding the lawsuit: 

The treatment detailed in the complaint against the DOC and the GPCC staff is not only a severe violation of human decency but also a stark contradiction to the values we hold as a society. It's crucial to remember, as the Bible states, 'Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me,' emphasizing that everyone deserves humane treatment. The neglect and abuse faced by the individuals at GPCC are harrowing and completely unacceptable. Such conditions should not exist anywhere.

DOC officials and the AG’s Office (representing the state agency) told KFOR on Friday they are unable to comment on pending litigation.  

You can read Humphrey’s full statement commenting on the lawsuit against DOC below: 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today issued the following statements regarding a lawsuit recently filed against the Department of Corrections alleging gross negligence and inhumane treatment of inmates in DOC custody. 

On April 9, attorneys Richard Labarthe and Alexey Tarasov filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court on behalf of seven plaintiffs against the DOC, Corrections Director Steven Harpe, and several unnamed employees, supervisors or administrators at the Great Plains Correction Center in Hinton. 

The lawsuit alleges inmates were locked in 3'x3' or 2'x2' shower stalls and forced to remain in these stalls for days at a time, stripped of essentials, while the cells were filled with human feces. The lawsuit also claims inmates were held with inadequate food, water and other provisions such as a mattress, blankets and clothing. 

"This lawsuit is largely the result of the work done by the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, which I chair," Humphrey said. "I've been assisted by Oklahoma Correctional Professionals (OCP) who have been exposing inexcusable human rights violations including the horrific shower incidents, reports of rapes being covered up, murders, assaults, extortion and many other serious human rights violations. It is believed that this lawsuit could be only one of many to come." 

Humphrey believes Oklahoma could be on the hook for millions of dollars with this and other lawsuits against the department. In August, nine former DOC employees took action against the department alleging wrongful termination. Humphrey said he anticipates more lawsuits from executives making the same claims. 

"The House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee has held hearings providing massive evidence of the horrendous human rights violations and the appalling treatment of employees," Humphrey said. "The committee has called for investigations and requested subpoenas but have been largely ignored. Recently, employees, inmates and family members have bravely stepped forward to verify these reports. This lawsuit is certainly one more component in proving the accusations are more substantial than previously reported." 

Humphrey said he will continue to sound the alarm that Oklahoma is facing a corrections disaster. 

"The Oklahoma Department of Corrections could be close to returning back under federal control or facing the horror of a prison riot," he said. "This latest lawsuit should be a wakeup call to the governor, the state's attorney general and other legislators to take immediate action." 

You can read the full statement responding to Humphrey’s comments below: 

It is unfortunate that Representative Justin Humphrey continues to perpetuate false narratives that are not remotely based on fact and listens to those with biased opinions who have no data to back their statements.  

We stand behind the investigation conducted by ODOC’s Office of Inspector General. Inmates were placed in showers temporarily when they refused housing while waiting for a different cell to open, and it was confirmed that inmates were moved in and out of the showers all day. While in the showers, inmates were fed, had access to water, and were given restroom breaks. ODOC has since discontinued using showers as holding cells in all instances. 

Rep. Humphrey’s incessant hateful rhetoric and continual attacks against ODOC and other law enforcement agencies showcase his lack of knowledge or insight into the operations of said agencies and disdain for public safety. ODOC leadership has a pulse on how the agency is operating and how the inmate population is responding to operational changes.  

Director Steven Harpe continues to lead the way in improving the culture of ODOC, upgrading the conditions of prisons, mitigating any potential civil rights violations, and changing the lives of returning citizens.