OSDH releases inspection report on OCDC, raising concerns
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Many issues were uncovered during the latest Oklahoma State Department of Health's inspection of the Oklahoma County Jail.
A 72-page report detailing bed bug complaints, a mice infestation, and much more.
The Oklahoma County Jail has not passed an inspection since 2019. Jail leaders tell News 4 they are thoroughly going through this report before commenting on the matter, but the state health department says the report does raise some alarms.
After being denied more than once, the state health department was finally able to inspect the jail unannounced.
Over the course of four days in December, inspectors say they found multiple problems with staffing, cleanliness, and overall daily function of the jail.
The report says hundreds of sight checks were not completed.
Inspectors also writing, "medical procedures and medication administration could not be completed due to a lack of detention staff."
The report also details reports of trash, dirt, debris, and evidence of a mice infestation, but that's not all.
54 inmates also complained of bedbug infestations, something News 4 reported on extensively over the years.
Then on December 10, during the inspection, an inmate was found dead in their cell.
The report also says the jail did not notify the health department of another death in May of last year. The department learned about it via news reports.
News 4 asked the Oklahoma State Department of Health about the findings and what they could mean for the jail.
For enforcement following any inspection or follow-up inspection of a facility determined to be not in compliance with the applicable statutory and regulatory standards, OSDH will evaluate and assess appropriate next steps.
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Those next steps may include filing a complaint with the Attorney General, local district attorney, or possibly jail administrative penalties.
News 4 reached out to the jail trust, city council members, and the jail.
The jail was the only one to respond. They said they will release a statement on the report in the coming days.
As for the health department, they say they'll continue unannounced inspections, something the jail continues to fight, saying they should get advanced notice.