Is no news good news?
A recent job posting for the Diamondback Correctional Facility at Watonga has tongues wagging around Blaine County.
However, that posting has the caveat ‘contingent on contract award.’ Recent news articles from the Tulsa public radio station indicated that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had an interest in leasing the facility for housing illegal immigrants and detainees.
But CoreCivic, the owner of the facility, is playing the cards close to the vest. In a Monday email, Brian Todd, manager of public affairs, reiterated there was nothing new to report, that the corporation continues to market the facility and explore opportunities with its government partners ‘for which this site could be a viable option.’
Todd goes on to say some staff remains onsite to ensure facility maintenance.
The CoreCivic website has eight listings for job possibilities, including dentist, psychiatrist, physician, nurse practitioner, human resources employees, detention officers and maintenance workers. Maintenance is the only position without the contingent on contract award warning.
The state of Oklahoma recently completed the purchase of the Lawton Correctional Facility. It leases and operates the Great Plains Correctional Facility at Hinton. However, the state has shown little interest in Diamondback.
The Trump administration has shown itself to be more open to leasing privately owned facilities than did its predecessor.