The Department of Corrections is authorized, pursuant to the Board of Corrections resolution on May 22, 1998 and subject to legislative appropriation, to establish a special correctional unit expansion at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington, Oklahoma, designed solely for the imprisonment of elderly persons, physically disabled persons, persons in need of infirmary care, and persons in need of specialized care or treatment as an outpatient in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area in the custody of the Department. The Department shall consider the unique needs of the elderly offender and the physically disabled offender when designing the unit or renovating an existing unit for this purpose and when implementing any program or service for such persons.

1. 1. Persons age fifty-five (55) years or older who are deemed not suitable for placement in the general population of another facility;
2. 2. Persons who are physically disabled upon reception into the custody of the Department, or who become physically disabled during the term of their incarceration within the custody of the Department, and whose disability requires the continuous use of a wheelchair or other special equipment, or whose disability requires special assistance, services or accommodations which another facility is not designed or equipped to meet;
3. 3. Persons requiring an infirmary with twentyfour-hour nursing care; and
4. 4. Persons having appointments or other needs for medical services which are provided at Griffin Memorial Hospital, Oklahoma Memorial Hospital or other medical facilities in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and that are coming from and returning to other Department correctional facilities.

Only the following offenders shall be eligible for placement in the facility:

Laws 1998, SB 971, c. 418, § 66, emerg. eff. July 1, 1998.