OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Joe Allbaugh is stepping down as the director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Agency spokesman Matt Elliott says the 66-year-old Allbaugh announced during Wednesday's board meeting that he's resigning, effective immediately, from the post he's held since 2016.

Known for his Marine-style haircut and straight talk, Allbaugh took over a state prison system with aging, overcrowded facilities and increased scrutiny after a series of problematic executions.

Allbaugh announced in March 2018 the agency would begin developing a plan to execute inmates using nitrogen gas,...