ALVA, Okla – There is an unwavering pride at Charles E. “Bill” Johnson Correctional Center. Every year, the prison holds a marching competition. Warden Becky Guffy said, “This is our 9th year to do this. We do this in remembrance of a former Deputy Warden. Craig Beavers and his wife who passed away in a motorcycle accident. He started this event and we continue this tradition to celebrate their lives.”
The inmates practice their routines for weeks in preparation for the big day. “They were really rough at first, “said Drill Instructor James Pollock, “But we got it worked out and I hope they have success today.”
Three teams competed for the top prize, pizza and ice cream! But inmate Lee Payne said, “I figure if we would have lost we still would have won because we would have completed something. A sense of accomplishment is everything in life.”
Warden Guffy was so impressed with the young men, they were all awarded a pizza party. More importantly she said, “Their commitment and discipline will be wonderful tools when they leave incarceration.”
