Oklahoma County Detention Center’s Trust Meet To Discuss Jail Issues

The group that oversees the Oklahoma County Detention Center discussed a laundry list of issues Thursday. The jail trust and administrator Greg Williams touched on eight different topics during the meeting.

Of all eight, the state department of health's inspection report got the biggest reaction.

"When somebody becomes arrested, they don't stop being a human." said Trustee Francie Ekwerekwu.

The OSDH report said the jail has over two dozen violations. 

In it, the report highlights cold food, no clean clothes, sleeping in the same bedding for up to seven weeks without getting a fresh set, clogged pipes and several other issues. 

A community member at the meeting said Saturday's hostage situation and inmate death are a direct result.

"The deplorable conditions at that facility drive men and women and children and any person on the face of this earth to a most desperate and preventable outcome," said Jess Eddy.

Williams said the jail is getting new pipes this month to help fix drainage issues. Mental health resources are being made available to staff, and officers are upping contraband search efforts.

Also, on the docket, approving the 68 Oklahoma Department of Corrections officers helping staff the jail. Short staffing is another one of the violations noted in inspection. Williams said the deal does nothing but benefit the jail; but trustees want more details, including a price tag.

"It needs to be more specific whatever DOC is willing to agree with us, we should get it in specific writing. I am very grateful to DOC, they stepped up in a huge way," Ekwerekwu said.

Most agree the work isn't done yet, but Ekwerekwu said just talking is progress.

"We finally saw a collective body come together and agree that something needs to be done," she said. 

Trustees and Williams also had a 90-minute closed executive session discussing his position.

It's not clear what decision they came to, but according to the agenda it could be anything from Williams' demotion, disciplinary actions, even resignation.