Upgrades Underway At The Oklahoma County Detention Center

The Oklahoma County Detention Center is updating its pods to meet Oklahoma State Department of Health standards.

Jail staff are five days into their jail renovation project.. A big part of the cleanup process is getting all the dirt and grime off the cell walls, which will help address some of the health department’s concerns.  

“As you can tell, they've already replaced the lights. We're using led light fixtures versus the incandescent. That's one of the maintenance projects. Of course, sealing up any holes that might be in the concrete,” Garner said.   

Sealing holes will prevent inmates from passing things through cells and gets rid of hiding spots for bed bugs, a repeated deficiency from a jail inspection report.  

“It's 100 percent heat sealed,” Garner said.

The health department and the jail came to a settlement in June to provide an additional $175,000 to bring the facility into compliance.  

“I would feel more comfortable sending my family member in there, if I knew they were in jail, versus some of the others,” Garner said. 

When renovations are done, cells will no longer be dark with graffiti covered walls.

“One of the deficiencies that we are continually cited for by the health department is the [lighting] requirements. Having this is reflective so it's easier for us to meet that requirement and moreover it allows us to keep a better watch of the people that are in here,” Garner said.   

Garner said it could take several years until a new jail is built, so they have to continue to make updates.   

Here is a list of the proposed new jail locations that are under review.  

1. N Kelley Ave and S Britton Rd 
2. NE 122nd and I-35 
3. 900 S Council and 1-40 access road 
4. 3800 SW 29th Street 
5. 5500 N. Morgan Rd Yukon, OK 
6. I-40 and E. Douglas Blvd 
7. 6945 S. Post Rd.  
8. 18437 SE 29th St 
9. Midwest Blvd and Wilshire Blvd 
10. Shartel Avenue north of I-40 
11. Newcastle Road near Southwest 54th Street 
12. 1901 E Grand Blvd 
13. Meridian Avenue near Southwest 54th Street