ACLU class lawsuit: Court-diversion rehab program exploits

2017-11-02T15:01:13Z2017-11-02T15:01:42Z

Source RNN

By The Associated Press

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - A class-action lawsuit filed against an Oklahoma drug rehabilitation program alleges participants were forced to perform thousands of hours of free labor for businesses and individuals in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The ACLU of Oklahoma filed the suit Wednesday on behalf of seven people. It alleges the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program "created a pipeline for forced labor" and human trafficking at its facilities in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Decatur, Arkansas.

Oklahoma district courts have ordered drug and alcohol offenders to participate in the program as an alternative to incarceration. The lawsuit says participants work under threat of imprisonment and live in squalor.

The lawsuit is among several filed after nonprofit news outlet Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting published a story exposing the questionable practices of some court-ordered diversion programs.

Local NewsNewsMore>>
Waffle House murder suspect Travis Reinking is in custody
Waffle House murder suspect Travis Reinking is in custody
Posted: Monday, April 23 2018 2:12 PM EDT2018-04-23 18:12:55 GMT
Updated: Monday, April 23 2018 2:49 PM EDT2018-04-23 18:49:54 GMT
Travis Reinking was arrested in a wooded area in Nashville, one day after killing four people and injuring four others at a Waffle House. (Source: NASHVILLE POLICE/TWITTER)
BREAKING: Murder suspect Travis Reinking is in custody and was arrested in a wooded area, according to Nashville police.
BREAKING: Murder suspect Travis Reinking is in custody and was arrested in a wooded area, according to Nashville police.
Van strikes pedestrians in Toronto, multiple injuries reported
Van strikes pedestrians in Toronto, multiple injuries reported
Posted: Monday, April 23 2018 2:09 PM EDT2018-04-23 18:09:24 GMT
Updated: Monday, April 23 2018 2:39 PM EDT2018-04-23 18:39:59 GMT
The driver of the van is now in custody, but police have not commented on if the incident was an accident or intentional.
The driver of the van is now in custody, but police have not commented on if the incident was an accident or intentional.
Mother tells children 'they are going to see Jesus' before setting car on fire
Mother tells children 'they are going to see Jesus' before setting car on fire
Posted: Monday, April 23 2018 1:08 PM EDT2018-04-23 17:08:35 GMT
Updated: Monday, April 23 2018 2:05 PM EDT2018-04-23 18:05:51 GMT
Witnesses said the woman revved the car engine until it caught fire.
Witnesses said the woman revved the car engine until it caught fire.
It's a boy! Kate Middleton gives birth to third child
It's a boy! Kate Middleton gives birth to third child
Posted: Monday, April 23 2018 3:38 AM EDT2018-04-23 07:38:08 GMT
Updated: Monday, April 23 2018 1:10 PM EDT2018-04-23 17:10:50 GMT
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William have two children, George and Charlotte.
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William have two children, George and Charlotte.
Homeowner finds naked intruder in her tub, eating Cheetos
Homeowner finds naked intruder in her tub, eating Cheetos
Posted: Thursday, April 19 2018 6:32 AM EDT2018-04-19 10:32:11 GMT
Updated: Monday, April 23 2018 12:39 PM EDT2018-04-23 16:39:44 GMT
A Monroe police affidavit says 29-year-old Evelyn Washington was arrested on burglary and property damage charges. (Source: Jordan Smith/ Raycom Media)
Police in Louisiana say a woman is accused of break-in, eating homeowner's Cheetos while taking a bath.
Police in Louisiana say a woman is accused of break-in, eating homeowner's Cheetos while taking a bath.

ACLU class lawsuit: Court-diversion rehab program exploits - KSWO 7News | Breaking News, Weather and Sports

ACLU class lawsuit: Court-diversion rehab program exploits

Local NewsNewsMore>>