Alva Review-Courier -

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is seeking increased funding from lawmakers to treat prisoners with hepatitis C.

The department estimates more than 3,000 of the state's inmates have the viral infection that's dispersed through blood contact, which affects the liver, The Journal Record reported.

Corrections spokesman Matt Elliott said that under the current funding, amounting to just over half a billion dollars, inmates receive treatment for their symptoms but few are getting the direct antiviral medication they need.

"It doesn't matter how mad at them society is, or...