Overdoses at the Oklahoma County Jail drop following new security measures

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — New security measures are in place at the Oklahoma County Jail in an effort to prevent contraband and drug overdoses.

Despite another inmate death this week, the changes seem to be helping.

"They're doing a lot of work, let's put it that way, inside the jail and outside of the jail," said Alan Smith, chief of intelligence and investigations for the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

According to the Smith, contraband and drug overdose incidents fell from January to February by 85%.

The use of Narcan also dropped from 52 to nine incidents.

"A lot of that's due to the teamwork here at the jail, investigations has really ramped up," said Smith.

It all starts the moment inmates walk through the door.

"They go to a strip search and pat down room. Before they weren't being strip searched and pat down immediately, they were kind of intermingled in a common area and stuff was getting passed that way," said Smith.

They're also paying attention to the mailroom.

Officials say by listening to inmate calls it's proved the changes are working.

"He said something along the lines of I could get you stuff at DOC, but I don't I don't think I can get it at Oklahoma County anymore and they went on to talk about how difficult it had become," said Smith.

The focus isn't just on inmates, but employees too.

K-9 detection dogs from the Oklahoma Human Services Office of Inspector General are being used.

"We don't announce when they're coming and they'll show up and we'll search the entire parking lot, all the cars, they'll go through employee common areas, sniff the employees while they're in the break room," said Smith.

Smith says legal accountability is also key.

Two inmates face murder charges in connection to an inmate overdose death in January.

"I think that made a big impact and everyone saw it. It was on the news in each of the pods, so the inmates know we're doing work too," said Smith.

These improvements come amid leadership changes at the jail. Paul Timmons is now serving as acting administrator.