The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2023

the front gates in broad daylight, eventually leading to a manhunt all the way to the outskirts of Antlers, where a farmer was taken hostage. 12 Raising funds for legal repre sentation from their meager prison labor earnings for the manufac turing of bricks and assembling of pillowcases, inmates at McAlester financially prepared for a pro tracted legal battle entirely on their own. 13 With advocates among the inmates hoisting signs that stated “Save Your Manhood,” prison can teen donations piled up to a reason able sum over the preceding years. 14 Solicitation for representation to the American Civil Liberties Union was declined, as was a request for representation to famed attorney Clarence Darrow. 15 It fell to local The law permitting criminal sterilization went into effect in 1935 while Skinner was serving time in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

MAY 2023 | 13

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL