Student videos informs of Oklahoma's high incarceration woman rate

OU sociology, criminology students' video won a state-wide contest. Their topic was about the high incarceration rate of women in Oklahoma. Photos by LeighAnne Manwarren.

In a recent report, Oklahoma was ranked number 1 with women incarceration in the country. Sociology and criminology students across the state were challenged to create a video detailing the numbers and the affects of the high incarceration rate of women. 

One of OU's criminology capstone class was one of the winning videos in the Social Innovation Challenge hosted by the University of Tulsa.

"We are fortunate to win the contest on last Friday afternoon. There is a $1000 prize associated with the honor," said Kelly Damphousse, sociology professor. 

Damphousse said his class plans on using the money through OU's criminology club to provide and develop programs at OU for children whose parents are incarcerated with the goal of encouraging them to attend college.

SIC is a program across the country, encouraging students to make a positive change in the community through creative and innovative ideas.

I-35 construction continues

Motorists see more construction on Interstate 35 in north Norman. Photos by LeighAnne Manwarren.

Motorists will be affected by two off-ramp and lane closures as construction continues on Interstate 35 in Norman.

The southbound I-35 off-ramp to eastbound Robinson Street closed Sunday, March 29 and is expected to reopen by the end of April, said David Meuser, Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokesman.

Meuser said motorists could still access eastbound and westbound Robinson using the westbound off-ramp.

The southbound I-35 off-ramp to US-77 closed Wednesday evening as workers replace the bridge over northbound I-35. The ramp is scheduled to reopen in four months.

Meuser said north and southbound I-35 will be narrowed to one lane as crews move barrier walls and repaint stripes on the pavement from around 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day. It will reopen to two lanes both directions during the day.

Phase One of the construction is scheduled for completion in summer 2010.

“We are on the target, time wise,” Meuser said. “Overall we have been very pleased at this point at how things are going.”