Groups call on OKC, Edmond, Midwest City to sever ties with Oklahoma County jail, CJAC
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Thursday afternoon, a number of groups gathered at the Midwest City municipal complex to call for Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Midwest City to end ties with the Oklahoma County Detention Center and the Criminal Justice Advisory Council.
The People's Council for Justice Reform, the Oklahoma City NAACP, and Gloria's Angels B.O.W. are calling conditions at the jail "unconstitutional."
As previously reported, 14 inmates have died at the facility in 2022. Numerous inspections have also found noncompliance in health and safety conditions.
The groups are saying inmates sent to the detention center shouldn't be dying there.
Organizers called the amount of deaths at the jail "alarming."
According to Garland Pruitt with the Oklahoma City NAACP, "We have got to do something different for our citizens."
Currently, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Midwest City send certain arrestees to the county facility. The People's Council, local NAACP, and Gloria's Angels want that to stop.
Cherisse Baker with the People's Council shared that, "I just push and ask that the citizens get involved, start making education decisions, and hold those accountable that you elect in office."
The groups took aim at CJAC, which those cities contract with for studies and advice on justice programs.
According to CJAC, the organization isn't involved with the day-to-day workings of the jail, but gives advice on certain initiatives.
Sara Bana, a Midwest City resident, asserted that CJAC "advised our county to transition power and management to a jail trust that has failed to pass a single inspection."
CJAC shared that it was was one of many organizations and stakeholders who were in favor of moving the jail's management from the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office to the trust.
Bana is a councilwoman in Midwest City, but explained that she was speaking in her personal capacity as a private citizen.
Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes responded to the press conference with the following statement:
The Mayor and Council of the City of Midwest City recognize Councilmember Bana’s First Amendment Right to express her opinions on issues in our community. Councilmember Bana’s comments do not reflect the opinion of the City Council of the City of Midwest City and we have no further comments regarding the subject of the Councilmember’s demonstration.
Greg Williams, CEO of the detention center, also addressed in a statement to the points raised in the press conference on Thursday:
The Jail Trust has tasked the staff with providing a safe and humane facility. In the more than two years since the Jail Trust took over operations, we have made many improvements to our procedures and the physical facility which have greatly improved conditions. We will continue with this work every day with safety and security as our top priority.
Timothy Tardibono, executive director of CJAC, responded to the press conference with the following statement:
CJAC is a partnership, not just with government partners, but service providers and non-profits. We value each of our community partners and have had tremendous contributions from Midwest City. We value their partnership and look forward to many future years of shared collaboration and productivity. As our website illustrates, there are numerous organizations CJAC works with, all with the common goal of a more fair and effective justice system for the residents of Oklahoma County. We intend to continue that important mission.
Oklahoma City and Edmond had not yet responded to Fox 25's request for comment as of the publishing of this article.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.