Audit Of Oklahoma County Detention Center Finds Over A Dozen Health Violations, Shows Lack of Staffing

At the beginning of February, the Oklahoma State Department of Health went in unannounced to conduct an annual inspection of the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

In the report released Wednesday it said that based on deficiencies cited, the facility was found to not be in compliance with established standards.

During the inspection OSDH investigated 11 inmate deaths and 15 complaints.

It was also noted there were multiple problems plaguing the jail. Several being understaffing, sight checks on inmates and their cells not happening, and failure to communicate when inmates were transported to hospitals for medical attention. But one noted with many issues was sanitation.

Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye said the findings were unacceptable.

In a statement he said:

“While this is never acceptable, it puts inmates and employees at heightened risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues need to be addressed immediately to protect both jail staff and residents’ health and safety.

We are working with the Jail Trust, Oklahoma County Commissioners and the Oklahoma County Jail administrator to resolve the issues outlined in the report as soon as possible. The jail has 60 days to comply with the changes OSDH has mandated before another inspection will be conducted; if the jail doesn’t comply, we will be forced to take additional steps to ensure health and safety conditions are restored.”

The chair of the Jail Trust, Tricia Everest, said the results in the report were not surprising. She said these are all problems that they are working to fix since they inherited the jail in July.

“We are working hard,” said Everest. “The county has been good at helping to fund as we come across things we need to change.”

OSDH officials said jail administrators have 60 days to correct the problems. If they don’t then Dr. Frye will have authority to file a complaint with the attorney general or the district attorney.