Last Updated on August 6, 2023, 3:02 AM | Published: May 1, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority or Jail Trust voted unanimously Monday to hire current interim CEO Brandi Garner as the permanent CEO of the Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC) or Jail.
The Jail Trust was the last stop in that decision. Even thought one county commissioner is on the Jail Trust, the Board of County Commissioners will not have to make a decision on the matter.
“I’m greatful for the opportunity,” Garner said through a spokesperson after the vote. “I continue to look forward to continuing the work to transform the jail.”
Garner’s salary will be somewhere around $135,000.
Background
Garner was first hired as the interim in December 2022 after CEO Greg Williams resigned.
“My career in law enforcement and corrections, including my time in Oklahoma County, has given me experience and insight I’m excited to bring to this position,” Garner said in a provided quote at the time of her hiring as the interim. “I’m looking forward to ensuring we continue our positive growth, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our detainees, our staff and our community.”
Before that, in January 2022, Garner came to the OCDC from the Cleveland County Detention Center as a major where, “she was integral in collaborating internally and with external organizations to build trust and provide accountability,” according to a press release from the Jail Trust.
Quick response to multi-county grand jury recommendations
Garner’s next report to the Trust after the release of a multi-county grand jury report showed that she could be quick to address criticism and concerns instead of stonewalling.
Issues that Garner has continued to work to address have been:
- Contraband drugs being smuggled into OCDC by both inmates and officers.
- Scaling up the hiring of more and higher-quality individuals as detention officers.
- Increased pay for officers to draw a higher-quality candidate.
- Taking seriously the medical needs of persons booked into OCDC.
- Revamping of the Investigations Unit with officers who have law enforcement investigations backgrounds.
- Investigating every death in OCDC as a homicide until it is proven to be some other cause.
Trust moves forward without dissolving
This comes as the Jail Trust moves forward in ignoring demands of activists to follow the guidelines of the Multicounty Grand Jury for the Trust to vote to dissolve itself and turn the operation of the jail back over to the Oklahoma County Sheriff.
No indictments were handed down by the grand jury after extensive investigations into the jail.
Sheriff Tommie Johnson, III has previously told Free Press that he has not desire to take over the operation of the jail.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
