Jim Couch's resignation from Oklahoma County jail trust leaves another role to fill
Oklahoma County jail trust chairman Jim Couch resigned Friday, leaving another vacancy to be filled after the jail's administrator resigned earlier this month.
Couch's announcement followed Greg Williams' resignation and the trust's decision on Friday to hire Maj. Brandi Garner as the jail's interim administrator.
Garner will work alongside Williams through Jan. 19, the day his resignation takes effect.
Couch, an original member of the trust when it took over the jail in 2019, said he believes jail operations have improved under the trust's oversight, despite problems during its tenure that have included issues with contraband, a hostage situation in March 2021 and detainee deaths — at least 36 since the trust assumed control — and the rape of a female detainee.
Couch outlined improvements made at the jail in an email he sent to Brian Maughan, chairman of the Oklahoma County Commissioners, Friday night to notify him about his resignation.
"These include new water pumps, new hot water heaters, a new water management system, newer sewage grinders, a new air filtration system, new locks, new video cameras, a new phone system, an upgraded fire protection system and a new body scanner," Couch wrote.
"Operationally we have eliminated triple celling (housing three inmates per cell), have a new food provider with new kitchen equipment and a new commissary provider. There is a new culture amongst the detention officers to care for the detainees and plans are being implemented to ensure more time for the detainees out of their cells.
"This was all accomplished during a pandemic and during a time when the facility was understaffed," he wrote.
Monday, Couch expressed frustrations that "no one seems to take note of" those improvements.
"Has anyone ever done a story that reports that we don't do triple-celling anymore? We don't get any positive coverage at all — it's just a punching bag."
Couch resignation caps tumultuous months
Recent trust meetings have been tense at times. During the November meeting, the Rev. Derrick Scobey called for Williams to be fired.
Couch called the discussion of Williams' performance "healthy," saying it had "a wide variety of opinions."
"My personal opinion is Greg took a hard job under very challenging circumstances, and he has made demonstrable, meaningful improvements in conditions and outcomes at the jail,” Couch said.
After the trust's decision to hire Garner as Williams' interim replacement, Couch said he expected Garner to bring "new ideas and new energy to the organization.”
“Major Garner ... has developed a positive rapport within and outside of the facility and has spearheaded many critical improvements. Most recently, she helped increase recreation time for detainees,” Couch said in a news release.
Couch reiterated his support for Garner on Monday, adding that he felt the transition between Williams and Garner provides a window for he and his family to step more fully into a retired lifestyle.
Couch said he and his wife have wanted to travel more, something they couldn't do because of time demands placed upon him through participation as a member of the trust.
"I don't believe I will be in Oklahoma City enough to be an effective trustee," he wrote as part of his resignation, adding, "I believe it is a good time for me to step aside."
Maughan said Monday it will be up to trust members to elect a new person amongst themselves to lead the authority. He said the commission won't appoint another at-large member to the trust until after Myles Davidson, who won the election to fill the commission's District 3 seat, takes office in January.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jail trust must find new leader as it begins new administrator search
