Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections is a now defunct elective executive officer
of the state of Oklahoma
.
The office was established by the Oklahoma Constitution
in 1907. The office was disestablished by the constitutional amendment State Question 50 to the Constitution. It was adopted at the special election held on July 22, 1975. The amendment came into effect on January 8, 1979. The duties of the Commissioner were taken over by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections
.
.
In performing those duties, the officers of the institutions being investigated by the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to promptly furnish the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections with such information, relating to their respective institutions at the demand of the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. Also, the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had the power to summon any person to appear and produce such books and papers as was designated in the summons, and to give testimony under oath concerning the matter and institution under investigation.
A full report of any investigation, including the testimony, conducted by the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to be made to the Governor of Oklahoma
and then had to be transmitted by the Governor to the Oklahoma Legislature
with any suggestions as the Governor desired to make. Also, on the first day of October of each year, and at any time on request of the Governor, the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to make a full and complete report of the operations and administration of their office, with such suggestions as the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections may have deemed suitable and pertinent.
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
of the state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
The office was established by the Oklahoma Constitution
Oklahoma Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th US State. At its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the longest governing document of any...
in 1907. The office was disestablished by the constitutional amendment State Question 50 to the Constitution. It was adopted at the special election held on July 22, 1975. The amendment came into effect on January 8, 1979. The duties of the Commissioner were taken over by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. DOC is responsible for the administration of the state prison system. It has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, in the former Mabel Bassett Correctional Center building.The Department of Corrections is governed by the...
.
Qualifications and Term of Office
A Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to have been a citizen of the United States, at least 25 years old, and have been resident of Oklahoma for at least ten years prior to election and served a four year term that run concurrent with that of the Governor of OklahomaGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
.
Powers and Responsibilities
The Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had the power to investigate the entire system of public charities and corrections of the State. This included examining the conditions and management of all prisons, jails, alms-houses, reformatories, reform and industrial schools, hospitals, infirmaries, dispensaries, orphanages, and all public and private retreats and asylums which derived their support wholly or in part from the State, any county or municipality within the State.In performing those duties, the officers of the institutions being investigated by the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to promptly furnish the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections with such information, relating to their respective institutions at the demand of the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. Also, the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had the power to summon any person to appear and produce such books and papers as was designated in the summons, and to give testimony under oath concerning the matter and institution under investigation.
A full report of any investigation, including the testimony, conducted by the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to be made to the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
and then had to be transmitted by the Governor to the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
with any suggestions as the Governor desired to make. Also, on the first day of October of each year, and at any time on request of the Governor, the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections had to make a full and complete report of the operations and administration of their office, with such suggestions as the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections may have deemed suitable and pertinent.
See also
- Kate BarnardKate BarnardCatherine Ann "Kate" Barnard was the first woman to be elected as a state official in Oklahoma, and the United States in 1907...
, first Commissioner of Charities and Corrections and first woman to hold State office in Oklahoma.