OCDC RESPONDS TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORT

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 6, 2023) –The Oklahoma County Detention Center is in receipt of the latest inspection report from the Oklahoma Department of Health. We are currently in the process of reviewing the report. Under the new leadership of the jail and the trust, we have made substantial progress in addressing the many deficiencies cited in past Department of Health inspection reports. Sight checks remain a top priority. New policies have been put in place to ensure staff are aware and trained on how to properly conduct sight checks throughout the facility. Each employee is required to acknowledge the sight check policy, through the detention center custody manual website. Staff who fail to conduct proper site checks will be subject to disciplinary which may include retraining or up to termination of employment. In the specific incident in the report on April 22, 2023, staff members were terminated, and an investigation is ongoing. The jail is implementing a Network Infrastructure upgrade which includes installing Wi-Fi throughout the facility and purchasing mobile devices to be used by staff for daily tasks including inmate sight checks. The new system will allow staff to be more efficient with their time and provide checks and balances to make sure sight checks are properly conducted in a timely manner. Not only does this eliminate wasted paper but also allows for real time monitoring as tasks are completed. Pest control continues to be a challenge, but we are undertaking several initiatives to control the issue. We have created a new position for a certified pest control specialist and are currently taking applications. This position allows the jail to immediate respond to pest issues using a certified chemical applicator as opposed to waiting for an outside vendor to arrive. Renovation is underway in our first pod which includes cleaning, sealing, and painting, walls, floors, and ceilings. The project will address several health department issues such as pest control, cleanliness and allow more light into cells. “The OSDH report provides area of emphasis for providing excellence in detention Just as we did with the May 2022 report, we will focus on these areas for improvements,” said Brandi Garner, CEO Oklahoma County Detention Center. “We are committed to doing everything we can to address each issue. Our top priority is always the health and safety of the detainees and staff.”