Oklahoma Co. Detention Center’s Medical Provider Potentially Pulling Out if Staffing Doesn’t Increase

Saturday inside of the Oklahoma County Detention Center an inmate was able to take a detention center officer hostage.

Monday, commissioner for district two, Brian Maughan, weighed in on the situation.

“Immediately I thought about the people involved and I have been in touch with the sheriff, the district attorney, the presiding judge and the chair of the jail trust,” said Maughn.

He said watching the situation unfold was difficult.

Because of the situation he was notified that the jail’s medical provider would potentially pull its staff out of the jail if staffing doesn’t increase.

“The hostage taker chose the officer over the nurse that was there to administer the meds and obviously the medical provider, who has been great to work with, takes that very seriously,” said Maughan.

In the letter sent to him Turn-Key said the jail has until April 29, 2021 to increase staffing levels to ensure they are able to have detention staff available to complete medication passes and fulfill other duties to maintain safety and security.

If they can’t increase the levels Turn-Key noted they will pull their staff on May 31, 2021.

Maughan said he still has faith in the jail trust running the detention center.

We reached out to the two other commissioners. Commissioner Blumert said she is not ready to comment. News 9 did not hear back from Commissioner Calvey.