Oklahoma County Jail Flooded Again

Structural issues at the Oklahoma County Jail continue to be a major problem. Officials said the first floor office was flooded again on Friday, January 2.

According to the Oklahoma County Sheriff's office's Facebook page, the flood was caused by the fact that the jail was built with a plumbing system rated for commercial use, and not a jail.

12/11/2014 Related Story: Oklahoma County Jail Safety Concerns

Officials said the inmates are capable of intentionally backing up the system, which then floods employee area with sewage water.

As a result of the flooding, two computer monitors, hard copy files/reports, ceiling tiles and an office chair were damaged.

Back in December, 2014, more than 21 gallons of water flooded the first floor.

The Oklahoma County Commissioner said things are getting worse and the jail is beyond repair. Commissioner Ray Vaughn said right now, almost daily repairs to the crumbling jail is straining the county's general operating fund.

It's been called one of the most poorly designed jails in the country. The 13-floor facility makes moving, guarding and even caring for inmates extremely difficult, especially when there are only three working elevators.

More than 2,400 inmates are housed in a facility built 23 years ago and it's designed to house just 1,200.

There is a plan for a new jail. The commissioner said they are looking at a number of funding options, including a bond issue.