Home / Crime and Justice / Oklahoma Prison's 'Tombs': Vermin, Abuse Alleged
Oklahoma Prison's 'Tombs': Vermin, Abuse Alleged
11 Jun
Summary
- Inmates report vermin-infested, windowless cells called 'tombs'.
- Allegations include beatings, rape, and lack of basic hygiene.
- Prison officials deny claims, citing adherence to laws.
Inmates at Oklahoma's state penitentiary have detailed horrific conditions in an underground section called H Unit. Letters from prisoners describe windowless cells, known as 'the tombs,' where vermin and squalor are rampant. One inmate reported witnessing and hearing of beatings and sexual assaults, with staff allegedly failing to intervene.
Further accounts include food trays being kicked through human waste and periods of up to 50 days without a shower, alongside prolonged darkness. Experts state that the deprivation of sunlight constitutes cruel and inhuman treatment, leading to significant psychological and physical harm, including mood disorders and increased mortality risk.
The ACLU of Oklahoma previously threatened legal action in 2019 over conditions in H Unit, after which many death row prisoners were relocated. While underground cells are reportedly rare nationwide, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has refuted the allegations, asserting their commitment to state and federal laws and the safety of inmates and staff.
