Stitt names five to Corrections board

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has named five appointees to the Oklahoma Board of Corrections.

Stitt on Tuesday announced the appointments of retired corrections department deputy director Reginald Hines, psychologist Dr. Kathryn LaFortune, mortgage company chief information officer Steven Harpe, construction company owner Rodney Thornton and former small business owner Betty Gesell.

The nine-member board establishes and reviews policies and confirms the appointments of wardens and unit heads.

The speaker of the state House and the president pro tem of state Senate each appoint two board members.

Stitt’s appointments comes less than two months after he signed into law bills giving him authority to hire and fire directors of the state’s five largest agencies, including the Department of Corrections.