Oklahoma family says inmate told them their loved one was stabbed over 30 times, they blame ODOC for lack of information
HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (KFOR) - An Oklahoma family feels left in the dark after they say their loved one was stabbed over 30 times while incarcerated at a medium security prison in Holdenville while serving a five-year sentence for a DUI.
The family claims there’s been a lack of transparency from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC). So, they asked KFOR for help to find answers. The family is scared of retaliation and has asked KFOR to protect their identities.
“No one from the facility contacted me or any of the family. He has an emergency contact, and no one was notified by text, call, email, anything at all,” said a family member who is speaking out against ODOC after a loved one was stabbed inside prison.
An Oklahoma family says it was just last Thursday when their incarcerated loved one was transferred from a prison to the Allen Gamble Correctional Center.
The day he was placed in his new home the family says they were notified by another inmate at the prison that he was stabbed multiple times in the chest.
“I mean, multiple lacerations. You know, you don't just do that to someone so many times over and over and not have a purpose for it. There was a purpose. And it he wanted an ending,” said the family member.
The family tells KFOR they are upset they found out the news through an inmate and not a staff member.
They say after numerous calls, it wasn’t until late Friday night that they received a phone call from a medical staff member saying they had no idea the family was trying to reach them.
"I finally got a phone call letting me know that they had no idea we had been trying to reach them, that they would get information on his medical severity and where he was that as soon as possible to me. And they just kept apologizing... We've heard that he's stable and that's basically all that they're giving us,” said the family member.
To make matters worse, the family says no one will tell them where he is due to safety reasons, and they won't let him talk to them.
“We just want to hear his voice to make sure that he's okay,” said the family member.
The family just wants justice for their loved one.
“Changes need to be made. This just continues to happen. There's obviously a reason why it's happening. It's in their (ODOC) hands,” said the family member.
In a statement to KFOR, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections says, “We have been in contact with his family who is listed as points of contact with releases of information on file.”
However, the family still says they have not received any medical information other than talking with someone on the phone who told them he is stable.
The spokeswoman goes on to say, “We do not release what hospital an inmate is at for security reasons.”
ODOC officials sent us more information regarding the process:
"The inmate must add to whom they want to release information. We try to communicate with an inmate’s emergency contact as soon as possible. Contact between the inmate and family is restricted for safety and security reasons. However, family is permitted to visit or speak with an inmate if the doctors believe they will soon pass away. We never release information surrounding the transportation of inmates in any situation for security and safety reasons. Family members with ROIs on file may call ODOC Medical for updates. ODOC’s Community Outreach Unit is also available to help loved ones obtain information or to answer questions: community.outreach@doc.ok.gov 405-425-2607."