1. (a) A private prison contractor will not employ any personnel convicted of a felony if the person has been incarcerated in the private prison facility for which an application for employment is being considered; however a private prison contractor may employ personnel convicted of drug-related felonies who have completed a drug or other substance abuse program, deemed rehabilitated and free from supervision a minimum of one year to provide substance abuse programming for inmates of the facility.

   1. (1) Ex-offender status will not prevent employment unless prohibited by law.
   2. (2) Prior to appointment of an ex-felon, written approval must be obtained from the director.
2. (b) A felony record search of fingerprints of the employee or prospective employee of the private prison contractor will be required. The search will be based on fingerprints and will be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The contractor will maintain the search records of each employee as long as the employee works for the contractor. The personnel records and background investigation records will be subject to inspection by the Department of Corrections.

3. (c) Any personnel of a private prison facility, except any person convicted of a felony offense, shall be authorized to carry and use firearms while in the performance of their official duties only after completing training approved by the Department of Corrections. Private prison training plans must be previously approved and must follow the Council of Law Enforcement and Education Training (C.L.E.E.T.) lesson plan and be taught by a certified C.L.E.E.T instructor. Such personnel shall only be authorized to use firearms for the following purposes:

   1. (1) To prevent escape from the facility or from custody while being transported.
   2. (2) To prevent an act which would cause death or serious bodily injury to any person.
   3. (3) If an inmate escapes from the facility, the Department of Public Safety, county sheriff, city police department and the private prison administration duty officer will be notified immediately.

Added at 22 Ok Reg 2350, eff 7-11-05