Oklahoma CareerTech students help repair jail gas leak

TAFT, Okla. (OBV) – Inmates who are learning professional trade skills from Oklahoma CareerTech came to the rescue during a gas leak at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, Okla.

The situation started as a small gas leak outside the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center, but the effort to repair the leak was anything but small.

CareerTech officials said the gas leak happened in late February outside the minimum security prison.

Inmates had been receiving vocational training from CareerTech’s Taft Skills Center. They put their developing skills to work, helping Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) staff to restore the facility to normal operations.

“Their commitment has been vital as crews continue to uncover new leaks throughout the aging infrastructure,” ODOC officials said.

The inmates initially replaced 225 feet of steel gas line. However, more leaks were found and further repairs were performed.

“We came out as soon as we were made aware of the leak,” said Tyce Barlow, chief administrator of Construction and Maintenance. “Everyone, staff and inmates, has shown real dedication, working long hours to make progress each day.”

All the leaks were found outside the facility and posed no explosion risk. However, they have disrupted heating and kitchen operations, ODOC officials said.

The Department of Corrections ensured inmates still had access to essential comforts by installing a 500-gallon propane tank to provide hot water for showers. Also, staff members used charcoal grills to prepare hot meals.

Teamwork and perseverance pulled the prison through a difficult situation, Department of Corrections officials said.

“We are doing everything we can,” Barlow said. “I think we’re on the downhill side.”