Some Oklahoma prison workers receive COVID-19 pay

ODOC will use existing state appropriated funds until the money is gone

The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. (courtesy)

By April Hill

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that workers inside a facility designated a hot spot will receive additional compensation.

A prison is designated in a hot zone when at least 20 percent of the inmates in cells test positive for COVID-19 or at least 15 percent in open bay housing.

ODOC will immediately beginning providing a $2 an hour hazardous pay to those staff members.

The hazard pay ends when a facility is no longer considered a hot spot.