Noting a steady decline in Oklahoma's prison population, state corrections officials started formulating a plan to close the dilapidated William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply in mid-May.

The governor's office, facility's warden and senior corrections administrators were aware of the agency's decision a month later. But Northwest Oklahoma lawmakers and community leaders, who argue losing the prison will be devastating to Woodward County's economy, say they were left out of the decision making process and learned of the news through rumors and media reports.

"The appearance here is t...