Forum panel highlights urgent need for new Oklahoma County jail

The future of Oklahoma County's detention system took center stage at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber's October Forum, where public safety and criminal justice leaders discussed the challenges facing the current jail, opportunities for reform and an upcoming vote that could shape the county's approach for decades. 

The discussion featured Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna, Arnall Family Foundation Program Officer Perrin Duncan and Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety Tricia Everest. Moderated by Tony Tyler, the panel explored how a new detention campus could improve public safety, expand access to mental health services and create a more efficient criminal justice system. 

The conversation comes ahead of the Nov. 3 election, when Oklahoma County voters will consider a proposed 0.40% sales tax to support the county's detention system and related services. 

Addressing challenges at the current jail 

Panelists described the operational and safety challenges associated with the existing Oklahoma County Jail, a 13-story facility built in 1991. 

Behenna said the building's design creates inefficiencies throughout the criminal justice system, from transporting detainees between floors to processing individuals entering the facility. 

She noted that law enforcement officers can spend two to four hours booking someone into the jail, keeping them away from patrol duties. 

"That affects public safety in my opinion, because that means there are law enforcement officers that are sitting in the receiving area of the Oklahoma County Jail who are not on the street patrolling where we need them to patrol," Behenna said. 

A new detention campus with improved booking and assessment areas could reduce those delays while allowing individuals to receive medical and mental health evaluations more efficiently, she said. 

Everest emphasized the challenges the aging facility creates for employees and detainees alike, including unreliable elevators and the difficulties of transporting food, medication and people throughout the building. 

Expanding mental health services and diversion 

Beyond replacing the existing jail, panelists discussed opportunities to address the circumstances that bring people into the criminal justice system. 

Duncan pointed to the progress Oklahoma County has made in reducing its jail population over the past decade, while emphasizing the importance of continuing to expand alternatives to incarceration. 

She highlighted several opportunities for improvement, including greater use of existing diversion programs, court date text reminders and policies that consider an individual's ability to pay fines and fees. 

The proposed detention campus would also incorporate a behavioral care center designed to connect individuals experiencing mental health challenges with appropriate treatment. 

Duncan said the center, which is expected to open in 2027, represents an important opportunity to divert individuals from incarceration and into services that better address their needs. 

Behenna emphasized that diversion programs are also an important component of public safety, helping individuals address substance use and mental health challenges while remaining accountable for their actions. 

"Diversion programs are not a slap on the wrist," Behenna said. 

She described Oklahoma County's treatment courts as structured programs that require participants to meet ongoing expectations related to sobriety, employment, housing and court appearances. 

Duncan also highlighted Diversion Hub, which connects individuals navigating the justice system with case management, resources and support services. 

Looking ahead to the Nov. 3 vote 

The discussion also addressed the proposed 0.40% sales tax, which would run for 25 years and provide funding to complete the detention campus and support operations. 

Panelists discussed rising construction costs, the limitations of the existing facility and the importance of ensuring that the new campus has the resources necessary to operate effectively. 

They also considered how the county should determine the size of the new detention center. 

Duncan encouraged an approach that prioritizes diversion and limits unnecessary incarceration, while Behenna emphasized the need to accommodate future population growth and maintain sufficient capacity for individuals who pose a threat to public safety. 

Both stressed the importance of using the new facility as part of a broader effort to improve the justice system rather than simply replacing one building with another. 

The panelists also discussed accountability for public investments, including the importance of transparency, data and continued community involvement in evaluating the system's performance. 

As the conversation concluded, panelists returned to the long-term implications of the decisions facing Oklahoma County. 

"We're paying for it either way," Duncan said, pointing to the financial and human costs associated with the current facility. 

Everest closed the discussion by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing the county's challenges. 

"We're better when we work together," Everest said. "The possibilities are endless, so let's go."