Last Updated on January 4, 2023, 1:40 PM | Published: January 4, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority (Jail Trust) heard several substantial reports but ultimately took little action in open session Tuesday. And, the body plans to wait until its March meeting to choose a replacement for the resigned chair.
Marty Peercy reports Local government
Citizens Advisory Board
Erin Engelke, Vice-Chair of the Jail Trust’s Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), gave the monthly report of the CAB’s activities and discussions. Engelke delivered two sets of recommendations. One set came from the subcommittee concerned with needs of the detainees, the other from the subcommittee concerned with recruitment and retention of Jail staff.
The first set of recommendations were thus:
- Increased communication from Jail staff
- More programming
- Better orientation for newly booked detainees
- More visitation
- Improved medical care and faster response times from medical staff
- Prioritize and promote technology to improve health and wellness among detainees
Recommendations from the recruitment and retention committee were as follows:
- Ongoing leadership and character training for all staff
- Regular schedule of employee appreciation events
- Self-care plans for all staff
- Clearly communicate the purpose and mission of the Jail
- Opportunities for staff feedback
The Trustees voted to accept the report into the record, but made no indications as to pursuing any of the recommendations of the CAB.
Medical conditions in Jail
However, some initiative to improve medical conditions in the jail are being carried out under the Jail’s new administrator and CEO.
Interim CEO of the Jail, Brandy Garner, presented a report on the monthly operations of the Jail.
Garner reported that the average population of the Jail in the month of December was 1,626. Currently, the Jail has 310 employees. Only one detainee and four staff members have tested positive for COVID in the past month.
Garner briefly discussed Medical Own-Recognisance (OR) bonds. Medical OR Bonds are a means of releasing a detainee with a health condition that cannot be treated appropriately in a jail facility. A judge must approve all OR bonds, including medical ones.
In the month of December, Garner said, 6 out of 20 Medical OR bonds were approved.
Later in the meeting, the Trust unanimously approved a resolution requested by Trustee Sue Ann Arnall. That resolution was to enhance the use of Medical OR bonds to further reduce the population in the Jail.
Chair still open
Trust Chair Jim Couch, former long-time City Manager of Oklahoma City, resigned his post on the Trust on December 16.
At Tuesday’s meeting Vice-Chair Ben Brown became “Acting Chair” for the time being. He will remain Acting Chair until a vote can be held for the Chair’s seat. That vote will be at the March meeting of the Trust.
In Couch’s absence, the Trust barely met quorum with only five trustees attending. M.T. Berry and Sue Ann Arnall were both unable to attend the meeting.
The Trust will meet again on February 6 at 1:00 p.m.
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