Oklahoma closes last private prison with $312M purchase of Lawton facility

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) has officially taken over the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, finalizing a $312 million purchase that ends all private prison operations in the state.

The facility, now renamed Red Rock Correctional Center (RRCC), was previously owned and operated by The GEO Group. State lawmakers approved funding for the purchase during the most recent legislative session. The acquisition includes the entire prison campus, except for vehicles and weapons, and adds roughly 400 acres of vacant land for potential expansion.

Related: Oklahoma lawmakers propose $312 million to buy last private prison

Governor Kevin Stitt, who has pushed for criminal justice reform and the elimination of for-profit prison contracts, called the move a major milestone.

“This is the third for-profit prison I’ve closed since becoming governor,” Stitt said. “The private prison in Lawton has had a terrible reputation for years, and now we get to bring that second-chance mindset to those in custody in Lawton.”

Read more: Oklahoma Department of Corrections finalizes purchase of Lawton prison, ending private contracts

The facility houses roughly 2,300 inmates. State officials say bringing it under ODOC oversight will expand access to rehabilitation, educational, and workforce development programs while improving safety and transparency.

ODOC Executive Director Steven Harpe said the transition will help advance the department’s mission of “changing lives” and ensuring a consistent standard of care across the prison system.

“Taking over operations in Lawton will provide greater opportunities for those in our care through more access to programs and other needed services,” Harpe said.

David Rogers, a longtime ODOC official with 36 years of experience, was named interim warden of RRCC. He previously served as warden of Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington.

Timeline of Events:

1. June 2024 – The GEO Group, which operated the Lawton Correctional Center, announced it would not renew its contract with the state unless additional funding was provided. ODOC criticized the terms and began seeking alternatives.
2. May 17, 2025 – Oklahoma lawmakers proposed a $312 million budget allocation to purchase the Lawton facility, warning that failure to act could return the state to prison overcrowding levels seen 20 years ago.
3. July 2025 – The Oklahoma Legislature approved the purchase.
4. July 25, 2025 – ODOC finalized the acquisition and renamed the facility Red Rock Correctional Center, officially ending private prison contracts in Oklahoma.

Read more: Lawton Correctional Center Risks Closure Unless Agreement Made With State