Diamondback Correctional Facility
Route 2, Box 336
Watonga, OK 73772
580-614-2000
Fax: 580-614-2020
Facility Public Information Officer: Sandy Clark (580-614-2000, ext. 2227; Sandy.Clark@correctionscorp.com)
Facility Type: Male, Medium-security, Owned since 1998
Warden: Robert Kurtz
Bob Kurtz was named acting Warden of Diamondback Correctional Facility in March 2010. Kurtz previously served as Warden of Huerfano County Correctional Center since May 2001. He had been Assistant Warden of the facility since August 1997 when the facility opened. Kurtz joined CCA in 1995 as Warden of its B.M. Moore facility in Overton, Texas. He transferred to Huerfano in 1997.
Prior to joining CCA, Kurtz served for 20 years in the U.S. Army. He holds a masters degree in management from Webster University and a bachelors degree in economic from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Total beds: 2160
Customer base:
States of Hawaii, Arizona
ACA Accreditation: Yes
Watonga is located 70 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, and has a population of 4,658, according to the 2000 census. Founded in 1892, Watonga is named for the Arapaho Chief, "Watanga" or " Black Coyote." Agriculture and ranching are big businesses here, along with gypsum mining and Diamondback Correctional Facility which maintains an employee base of approximately 350. Watonga is also home to one of the few cheese factories in the state, and hosts an annual Cheese Festival the first weekend in October. The nearby Roman Nose State Park and Resort provides golfing, camping, hiking, swimming, and horseback riding.
Community Relations:
Basil Taylor - President, First State Bank; Rick Ainsworth - Sheriff, Blaine County; Jim Constant - Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church; Pat Pettus, Blaine County Sheriff's Office; Tome Roane - City Finance Director; Gary Clyden - Chief of Police, Watoga Police Dept.; Michael Dobrinski - Owner/Operator, Dobrinski Chevrolet; Richard Hightower - Mayor, City of Watonga; Brenda Dovel, Watonga Municipal Hospital; Tim Curtin - Owner/Operator, The Watonga Republican; Tim Geis, Chisholm Trail Technology Center; Randy Barrett, Watonga State Bank; Randall Christy, The Gospel Station; Leroy Lavato, Leroy's Laundromat; B.J. Webb, Watonga Superintendent's Office; Tacy Nitzel, First State Bank; Meredith Norris, Chamber of Commerce; Billie Roane, Sooner Success
Community Activities:
Diamondback contributes to several local organizations: Kiwanis Club Cimarron Valley Baseball League Kiwanis Youth Basketball Program Watonga Cheese Festival Watonga Baseball Program Watonga 4-H and FFA Chisolm Trails Community Relations Committee Adopt-a-Highway Watonga Food Bank U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Blaine County Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department Blaine County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program Watonga Academic Foundation Watonga Band Parents Boy and Girl Scouts of America Watonga Headstart Kiwanis T-Ball
Programs Offered:
EDUCATION: Academic Courses (K-12) including ABE (Adult Basic Education) and GED (General Education Development) testing, ESL (English as a Second Language), College Correspondence Courses VOCATIONAL: Computer skills, Horticulture, Carpentry, Commercial Cleaning SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Lifeline Therapeutic Community (residential program), Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, group counseling, Design for Living, Smart Recovery LIFE SKILLS: Breaking Barriers, Anger Management FAITH-BASED: non-denominational religious programs and a partnership with the Institute in Basic Life Principles
Visitation Schedule:
Regular visitation is Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Special visits for Monday and Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. must have special pre-approval.
Visitation Rules:
Questions may be addressed to Sandy Clark at 580-614-2000 ext. 2227.
Awards: 2nd Place float at the Watonga Reunion, 1999 3rd Place float at the Watonga Cheese Festival, 2000
Tour Contact: Sandy Clark, Facility PIO [580-614-2000, ext. 2227]
Directions:
OKLAHOMA CITY - I40 West to exit 108, Hwy 281 North, at traffic signal in Watonga proceed North for 3 miles, facility will be on right.