The Village, Yukon Closer To Reaching Jail Detainee Agreement

Leaders in The Village, a municipality in Oklahoma City, are taking steps to find a new place to take detainees. Midwest City ended its agreement with The Village in July.   

“We need to put them in a safe place,” said Sean Cummings, The Village Vice Mayor. “[Monday night] what we did is voted on the contract.”  

The Village leaders and its police department had to find a new partner. The Oklahoma County Detention Center comes to mind, but Cummings says that’s not an option.  

“If you can’t pass a health inspection, I’m not gonna make somebody stay there,” Cummings said.

Cummings highlighted the unhealthy conditions at the jail that have been widely documented.   

“I don’t want that on my conscience,” Cummings said. 

A multicounty grand jury report in March revealed that the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported the OCDC as, “unhealthy and even lethal".

The jail said changes have been made to address these issues, but Cummings said more work needs to be done before The Village would agree to send inmates to OCDC. The Village agenda item from Monday night’s city council meeting also said, “The Oklahoma County Detention Center advised that they are not prepared to enter into an agreement.” 

“Do we really want you to end up having a problem like that over traffic tickets you couldn’t pay or refuse to pay?” said Cummings.

He believes people will face risks if they are detained inside the Oklahoma County Jail.  

The Village leaders want to partner with the Yukon Police Department that would house these detainees for $42 per day once the city of Yukon gives the okay.   

“From a jail that’s what you want,” Cummings said. “You never want them in the news.” 

The Yukon Police Department issued the following statement:

“The City of Yukon Police Department has been contacted by the City of The Village Police Department to collaborate in accommodating municipal inmates. An interlocal agreement is currently in the works, which will delineate the terms and conditions regarding the housing of municipal inmates. This agreement will be subject to annual renewal and approval by each city's respective Municipal City Council. 

“Our facilities at the City of Yukon Police Department jail are equipped to house municipal inmates for a duration of up to ten days before their scheduled release. We maintain a full-time jailer and a dedicated team of department personnel to oversee and manage the housing of inmates during their stay. 

“We are committed to working together with the City of The Village Police Department to ensure the efficient and secure housing of municipal inmates while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Further details regarding this agreement will be made available upon its finalization and approval.” 

Cummings said he took an oath to protect people’s rights, including the rights of those who will have their date in court.

“We’re happy that [Yukon is] willing to do this deal with us,” Cummings said.