Report: OCDC seeing inmate decline, concerns remain

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A new annual report says the Oklahoma County Detention Center has set a new record low inmate population, despite being no stranger to controversy and tragedy over the years.

The data comes the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council's (CJAC) annual report. It cites population numbers studied by non-profit Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) that states the jail saw a 27-year low in December 2023 with less than 1,300 inmates. That was in comparison to Tulsa County which had a little less than 1,400 inmates in its jail according to the report.

Overall, since 2015, the study says Oklahoma County's current inmate population has seen a steep decline from over 2,500 at its peak.

CJAC Executive Director, Timothy Tardibono, attributes the decrease, in part, to the amount of programs individuals can be diverted into for more access. Those include mental health crisis centers, a diversion hub and collaboration with the District Attorney's office.

"The last seven years have demonstrated that Oklahoma County stakeholders can and will address the challenges they face with the required determination to succeed," said CJI Policy Director, Leonard Engel, in the study.

The study does note room for improvement across a multitude of areas, noting that infrastructure and staffing challenges at the jail have made it difficult for attorneys to physically see their clients. Another recommendation in the study suggests creating deadlines and review points to make sure detainees are not in jail longer than necessary.

"They found things that we need to do better and that's what, you know, these assessments are for," said Tardibono. "They give you a progress report, but they also need to give you where to go. I mean, this is government. It's never going to be perfect, and you have to have goals."

News 4 employees pressed Tardibono on the safety of people in custody, pointing out that six detainees have already died under the jail's care in 2024.

"The jail has revamped their processes after one of these incidents occurred, to look at what's happening and the district attorney has gotten involved to make sure there's no wrongdoing," said Tardibono.

News 4 employees also pointed out a contrast of transparency between the report itself and an ongoing legal battle to block the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) inspectors from entering the jail for surprise checks. Jail officials have argued in the past that staffing is at the heart of the matter.

OSDH officials cite a state law they say very clearly allows their inspectors to show up unannounced, and bans jail officials from denying them entry. The Oklahoma County District Attorney's office took the jail's side, now the issue has ended up in court.

"We'll see what the judges say as to whether the health department has the statutory authority to do what they want to do," said Tardibono. "You know, there's two sides of the story. The health department is out there putting their side out. We know that the jail has staffing problems; and when you do an unannounced inspection like they're doing, it takes three days and pulling staff away and they're already stretched."

Tardibono said he's hopeful a new jail will raise morale and inspire recruitment efforts. The site chosen for the jail however, has created a separate legal battle of its own.

"We have the personnel in place to move the system in the right direction," said Tardibono when asked what he wants people considering the negativity to know. "That's what I would just say for citizens to support your leaders and to, you know, let your voice be heard; but also recognize they're trying."

You can read the full report below.