In 1973, Oklahoma State Penitentiary exploded in the costliest prison riot in American history. In the wake of that riot, Oklahoma adopted a Master Plan which called for lowering populations in the overcrowded prisons, primarily by reducing the state's incarceration rate-then as now twice the national average—and partly by new prison construction. Since 1975, Oklahoma has built 2,000 new spaces for prisoners, but its harsh sentenc ing policies remain unchanged; for several years, use of parole decreased instead of increasing, and, with the exception of a restitution program, community-based nonincarcerative alternatives are minimal. As a result, the building program has not kept pace with the rising commitments, and the prison system still does not provide humane, constitutionally adequate living conditions. A court order in September 1978 required the state to rebuild or shut down the two major institutions and to meet a timetable for upgrading prison living conditions. In May 1979, the court approved a compromise plan submitted by the state and extended the deadlines for compliance. The last of the deadlines must be met by January 1982.
Impact of Kigali City master plan implementation on living conditions of urban dwellers: case of Nyarugenge District in Rwanda