OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — The Oklahoma State Division of Well being (OSDH) notified the administrator of the Oklahoma County Detention Heart (OCDC) or Jail Tuesday that the power is not licensed to carry juveniles.
“All individuals, below eighteen (18) years of age and as outlined by Okla. State. tit. 10A … should not be detained by your facility by July 16, 2023,” the notification letter to Jail Administrator Greg Williams said.
Williams additionally obtained a 61-page detailed report of the findings.
The decertification is the results of an unannounced follow-up inspection and investigation of the Jail on June 23.
The notification letter mentioned that the power was “not in substantial compliance” with Title 310, Chapter 670 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). (OAC 310:670-7-2)
The letter was signed by Barry Edwards, program supervisor, OSDH, Detention Program, and David McCullough, compliance monitor for the Oklahoma Workplace of Juvenile Affairs.
Administration response
The press launch despatched Tuesday mentioned that on the time of the press launch “just one juvenile meets the statutory definition of a ‘baby’ or ‘juvenile’ and will probably be returned to the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention facility as quickly as potential earlier than the OSDH deadline.”
“We stay dedicated to creating all vital repairs to the power to enhance the protection and high quality of life for all who work and stay inside its partitions,” mentioned Williams. “Whereas the employees and contractors have labored diligently and over lengthy hours to make the infrastructure enhancements which can be already accomplished, there may be rather more to be accomplished.”
“A long time of bodily plant neglect and poor development can’t be overcome in a couple of months,” Williams continued. “I’m happy with the work the employees, together with our exterior companions like Oklahoma County, has accomplished in such a brief timeframe.”
The OCDC Chief Operations Officer William Monday mentioned that employees could be reviewing the report. In the event that they determine “some deficiencies that the power doesn’t agree are correct” they’ll analysis the method to “talk about these inaccuracies” with OSDH.
“Though we acknowledge the various points we face on the detention heart, we wish to ensure that everyone seems to be focusing consideration on the right issues,” Monday mentioned. “Nobody desires this place to be in the very best situation it may be greater than we do.“
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Final Up to date July 13, 2023, 5:01 PM by Brett Dickerson – Editor
The submit State Health Department decertifies Oklahoma County Jail to hold juveniles appeared first on Oklahoma City Free Press.
