OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — For the primary time in months, the Oklahoma County Felony Justice Authority (Jail Belief) met totally in individual Monday and in a surprisingly civil and productive session.
The assembly was gavelled in by the newly elected Chair of the Belief, Jim Sofa. The newly elected Vice-Chair, Senator Ben Brown, was seated subsequent to Sofa. All different Trustees have been current save for District 3 County Commissioner Kevin Calvey, whose Chief Deputy Myles Davidson sat in as proxy, and Calvey’s often-absent appointee, former Lt. Governor Todd Lamb.
For the primary time within the Belief’s historical past, the Trustees have been introduced with a “consent agenda.” Consent agendas (or consent dockets) are frequent in governmental conferences, and include any variety of recurrently showing points that require a vote, however little in the way in which of dialogue or debate.
Whereas the Belief has by no means had a consent agenda earlier than, the brand new Chair has loads of expertise with them, having served for years because the Metropolis Supervisor of Oklahoma Metropolis and having served on many different Trusts and boards.
A change ushered in by the brand new management of the Belief is the implementation of extra restrictive guidelines for public remark.
Authorities in accordance with columnist Marty Peercy
Public Remark
For the final 12 months or longer, Jail Belief conferences have been typically attended by native activists who want to tackle points similar to jail circumstances, the perceived mishandling of CARES funds by Commissioner Calvey, the presence of ICE within the Jail, no-bid contracts for work within the Jail, and different controversial points. At occasions the presence of the activists has disrupted the assembly course of.
Up to now, the previous Chair of the Belief modified guidelines governing public remark throughout conferences, and every time was met with the fury of members of the general public who claimed the Belief was attempting to stifle critique and free speech.
With every change in guidelines has come vital push-back, typically involving the wholesale disruption of conferences by activists who would refuse to face down from shouting on the Trustees on the horseshoe.
At Monday’s assembly, public remark was restricted to a few minutes per individual, and solely as soon as per assembly. That point for public remark was held on the very starting of the assembly, moderately than providing a chance to talk on particular person agenda objects.
One activist, Michael Washington, addressed the gang within the gallery whereas not deigning to have a look at the Trustees. Washington known as the change in guidelines silly and childish, figuring out the Belief as a farce. Washington mentioned solely an fool would attempt to silence the voice of the Folks. Washington went on so as to add that he intends to file yet one more lawsuit in opposition to the Belief for this perceived violation of constitutional rights.
State statute doesn’t require the general public belief to supply time for public remark, it must be famous.
One other frequent activist, Jess Eddy, additionally spoke throughout public remark at Monday’ assembly. Eddy mentioned that he agrees with Mr. Washington to the extent that stifling public remark is a foul religion effort on the a part of the Belief, and that he hoped actual conversations may proceed.
Eddy went on to say that he has lately been in communication with an individual who was lately launched after spending roughly one 12 months within the Detention Heart.
Eddy mentioned this individual detailed to him the methods through which remedy of the individuals detained within the Jail has modified because the Jail Belief took over almost one 12 months in the past. Eddy mentioned that CEO Greg Williams is owed a substantial amount of thanks for working to alter the tradition of the workers on the Jail.
Consent Agenda
The Jail Belief entertained their first ever consent agenda on Tuesday. The listing of things to be thought of with one vote was made up of approving month-to-month minutes, month-to-month claims, the month-to-month monetary report, a contract for elevator repairs within the Jail, and a slate of 16 contracts and repair agreements.
Trustee Francie Ekwerekwu requested if the elevator restore contract was just for elevator quantity 5 within the Jail. CEO Williams mentioned that it’s the solely elevator not presently working, so it’s the just one being repaired. Whereas different elevators are additionally previous and wish updating, these updates will occur as funds can be found and as necessity requires.
One of many contract objects up for approval was with Flip Key Well being, the healthcare supplier within the jail. Ekwerekwu identified that the service settlement features a clause that requires Flip Key to supply emergency response companies. Ekwerekwu requested if that is already in place, or if this was a brand new piece to the contract.
Williams defined that Flip Key already has an emergency response workforce. Just lately, Flip Key has enhanced its emergency response by changing 4 Licensed Medical Assistant positions with 4 EMTs. Whereas it isn’t but sure that Flip Key’s offering EMT service within the Jail across the clock but, that could be a aim of the Jail administration.
The entire Flip Key medical companies contract for the following fiscal 12 months is $7.4 million.
With these few questions answered, the primary consent agenda handed unanimously.
Flip Key Well being contract for FY 2023-22
Flip-Key-Well being-new-contract-draft-FY2021-22
CEO Report
Greg Williams, CEO of the Jail Belief, gave his month-to-month report back to the Trustees, saying that operations proceed to enhance.
Up to now 30 days, the Jail has administered 629 speedy COVID assessments with zero constructive outcomes.
Staffing continues to be a problem, in accordance with Williams, however recruitment and retention efforts have made a distinction. Since implementing an throughout the board enhance in pay for Detention Heart workers, retention has improved. The current recruitment/referral bonus program has had nice success, Williams mentioned. Within the final month they’ve employed 40 new workers members, bringing the overall variety of staff to 337.
At present’s morning inhabitants rely on the jail was 1543 with 163 detainees scheduled for transport to Division of Corrections custody.
The Detention Heart Motion Committee, a Jail Belief subcommittee, will meet on July 6 at 1:00 p.m. The Jail Belief will meet once more on July 19 at 1:00 p.m.
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Final Up to date June 21, 2023, 4:54 PM by Brett Dickerson – Editor
The put up Jail Belief reconvenes with new management, new civility, new jail contracts appeared first on Oklahoma Metropolis Free Press.
