Guest: Jail being reshaped with compassion, commitment to change lives for the better
Big changes are underway at the Oklahoma County jail. When I took leadership of the jail in January 2023, my goal was to make substantial improvements throughout the entire facility. My focus remains on improving the health and welfare of the detainees and the staff. The problems of the jail are well known and documented. I would not have accepted this role if I didn’t believe in the people who work here and my ability to make the necessary changes needed to turn years of neglect into a brighter future for everyone inside this building.
Since I came aboard, I have implemented numerous changes to the leadership structure, overhauled the training curriculum, and instilled a culture of ownership at all levels of staffing. This culture of change is needed to better protect the detainees and staff. The community and detainees deserve a detention center that provides safety and security for all. I believe we are headed on that path.
We are undertaking numerous projects to improve every aspect of the jail. We just completed a renovation of a pod with 50 cells. It included cleaning, sealing, and painting of the walls, ceiling and floors of each cell. The renovation improves many of the deficiencies cited by the Oklahoma State Department of Health ― such as low lighting and overall cleanliness. Sealing the concrete inhibits mold growth and reduces harboring of bed bugs and other pests. The brighter, cleaner cells also are expected to have a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of our population. This project is completed by jail staff using budgeted funds, with additional pods planned for renovation.
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As part of our agreement with the Health Department, we purchased and provided new, better constructed mattresses to every single detainee. We are currently looking to hire a certified pest control technician, which will allow us to immediately respond to pest complaints, instead of having to wait for help from an outside vendor.
We recently changed detainee phone providers to NCIC, which provides a much cheaper per-minute rate than our previous provider. The provider also supplies a mobile device for each cell, which detainees can use for video calls, texting and video messaging and to access educational and mental health materials. We are excited to provide detainees with better access to their loved ones and increased access to programs.
While we are excited about all the changes we have made and will continue to make, we are not immune from the devastating effects of fentanyl. Problems that plague our society eventually creep inside the facility. Our efforts to stop the flow of contraband into the facility start and stop with the people who work here and all those who enter.
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By strengthening the curriculum and duration of the detention officer academy, we provide our recruits with the tools to help them prevent contraband from coming in and teach them how not to be corrupted into bringing contraband in. We also are devising a plan to allow detainees access to NARCAN. Jails in other states have provided NARCAN to detainees with lifesaving results. We will continue to seek ways to prevent contraband from entering the facility.
We will have a new facility soon, but we must maintain this building to the highest standards. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest to join our ranks. We are in constant communication with county leaders who are supportive of our efforts in helping us achieve this goal, but we also need the community’s support. We will continue to reshape this facility with compassion and commitment, and by doing so, change lives for the better.
Brandi Garner is chief executive officer of the Oklahoma County jail.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County jail is being reshaped to change lives for the better
