Some Oklahoma County Court Services Transitioning To Private Non-Profits

Some Oklahoma County court monitoring services are being transitioned out of the county government and into private non-profits.

It’s a move county officials say will increase safety and efficiency when it comes to releasing detainees from jail before trial.

“Can we help you get into any substance treatment? Do you need any mental health treatment,” The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) Deputy Director Jamie Patterson said. “Any life skills like parenting, or financial literacy? Can we help with employment?”

They’re all questions facing people released from jail that can have a big impact on whether or not they end up back behind bars.

“Here, we really believe that someone’s past does not have to define their future,” Patterson said.

Last month TEEM helped answer those questions and provide resources for around 700 people booked into jail and then released ahead of their trial on conditional bonds requiring the completion of certain programs and monitoring requirements.

These are services TEEM has been providing since 2017, all while a similar pre-trial release program has been run out of the County Court Services Department. Under a contract unanimously approved by county commissioners this week, TEEM will spearhead all conditional bond releases approved by Oklahoma County judges.

“I think TEEM is going to be supervising people that need more touch points,” Oklahoma County District Attorney Viki Behenna said. “In other words some who might not have stable housing, someone who’s a substance abuse or mental health issue, someone that might need help finding a job, job placement. And they’re going to be supervising them a little more than what we’ve done in the past.”

Last month, Sheriff Tommie Johnson expressed concern about detainees released from jail under TEEM supervision who went on to commit other violent crimes.

“As the Oklahoma County sheriff, I've seen the consequences of leniency in our justice system firsthand,” The sheriff wrote in an op-ed. “Recent events have underscored the urgent need for stricter sentencing for repeat offenders.”

Behenna said she’s confident in the new agreement.

“Look, this contract I feel is pretty tight on what TEEM’s responsibility is going to be,” Behenna said. “If someone is required to go to AA or substance-abuse treatment and they don’t go, this contract requires TEEM to notify the court when that happens.”

“I feel fairly comfortable that TEEM is going to abide by the terms of their contract. If they don’t, then will find someone else who can,” Behenna said.

The contract approved by county commissioners this week will begin the transition to TEEM. Commissioners will have to approve another contract for the next fiscal year that begins July 1.

As for how much it will cost, county leaders said in 2025's agreement TEEM will be paid the same amount commissioners had budgeted for those in-house court services. They said the following year could see savings from outsourcing the program.