On Thursday, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) announced the arrest of a former employee from the Mack Alford Correctional Center (MACC) in Stringtown, Oklahoma. Melissa Hicks, who worked at the state prison, was taken into custody on April 21, 2026, on a second-degree rape charge following an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
The Investigation: Inappropriate Relationship with an Inmate
According to officials from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the arrest stems from a 2024 investigation conducted by the OIG. The investigation uncovered that Hicks had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate at the Mack Alford Correctional Center, a state facility where offenders are sentenced to terms ranging from one year to life.
Further details about the nature of the relationship or the identity of the inmate involved have not been disclosed by authorities. No additional information has been provided at this time.
Mack Alford Correctional Center: A High-Security Facility
Mack Alford Correctional Center is a state prison in Stringtown, Oklahoma, where individuals are incarcerated after being sentenced for a range of offenses. The facility holds offenders who have been sentenced to anywhere from one year to life by the state court, making it a high-security institution.
Ongoing Investigation
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has not released further details regarding the case, and the investigation remains ongoing. The arrest of Melissa Hicks has raised concerns about the integrity of staff working within correctional facilities, and authorities are likely to continue their inquiries into the matter.
