Legal Services

The Administrative Review Unit reviews, investigates and responds to inmate misconduct and grievance appeals submitted for final review. This review is considered the final step in the internal administrative process. Inmates must exhaust their administrative remedies before filing litigation. Reviews conducted at the facility and departmental levels help prevent unnecessary litigation. Hundreds of inmate letters are received in Administrative Review each year along with a response forwarded for each one. This unit also trains all staff involved in disciplinary and grievance processes and serves as a contact point for field staff, family members and legislators with questions on such processes.

The Legal Division of the General Counsel's Office consists of the General Counsel, Assistant General Counsels and support staff. These attorneys represent the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in employment-related cases; review all formal disciplinary action; defend the agency in lawsuits; assist the Litigation Division and Criminal Appeals Division of the Attorney General's Office in representing ODOC and its employees; assist agency employees in preparing for depositions and trials; review all contracts, DOC policies and procedures; advise the Board of Corrections, ODOC Director and agency employees; process all subpoenas duces tecum and open records requests; and oversee law library content at ODOC facilities, and inmates' access to courts.

C. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections operates in accordance with state statutes. The following statutes directly impact our agency and its operations:
     a. Title 57. Prisons and Reformatories
     b. Title 74. State Government

D. The following statutes are useful for those interacting with our agency:
     a. Title 21. Crimes and Punishments
     b. Title 22. Criminal Procedure
     c. Title 63. Public Health and Safety
     d. Title 10A. Children and Juvenile Code