There is a little-known group of 40 men at Joseph Harp Correctional Center who refer to themselves as The Oklahoma Lifers Association. The OLA was formed by a group of incarcerated men who understand they will likely never be released from prison but despite their situation, they have found a renewed sense of purpose during their incarceration.
These men work at one of Oklahoma’s largest furniture factories, located inside JHCC. They build thousands of tables, chairs and cabinets every year. Instead of wasting the leftover lumber, some of the men decided to repurpose it into toy rocking motorcycles to be donated to children’s charities.
The OLA was recently honored with a commendation from Gov. Kevin Stitt. “Your dedication and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those incarcerated in Oklahoma is truly inspiring,” Gov. Stitt wrote in the commendation award. “Over the past ten years, your efforts have not only brought hope but also meaningful change to the lives of many Oklahomans and their families.”
“It means the world to me,” inmate Joshua Phares said. “Just to be able to help out and give back to a community I wronged in the past. Whenever we build these motorcycles, it shows people we still care. We aren’t lost or forgotten. We can still give back.”
The rockers have been donated to charities such as Toby Keith’s OK Kids Korral, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, Autism Oklahoma, and most recently to Scottish Rite for Children, a hospital in Dallas. The rockers have sold for a few hundred dollars at auctions, one for even $500, with all the proceeds going to the charities.
JHCC Warden David Rogers personally requested a custom Minions rocker as a special gift. “The Scottish Rite is very near and dear to my heart because it helps children at no cost to the families,” Warden Rogers said. “I asked them if they would make one for Scottish Rite when they asked me if there was any place I wanted. It was the first place that came to mind.”
Scottish Rite for Children treated two of Rogers’ children. The Dallas hospital provides access to medical care, nutrition, and rehabilitation. This week, the OLA presented the custom-made motorcycle to Scottish Rite. “I was blown away,” development officer Betsy Yeckel said. “The detail and craftsmanship are incredible.”
It will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going directly to the hospital’s mission. “It means we are able to take care of more kids,” Yeckel said. “That’s what our mission is, giving kids their childhood back. This allows us to do that.”
The auction will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, in San Angelo, Texas, at the 2024 Sporting Clay Shoot. For more information, call 214559-7684.
JHCC is proud to continue this partnership with community organizations and aims to collaborate with other entities in the future. Lives are being changed because a group of incarcerated men found purpose in prison.
