The Criminal Justice Advisory Council is a task force comprised of business and community leaders, law enforcement, nonprofit service providers, attorneys, and judges who share an interest in making Oklahoma County’s justice system fair and effective. They produce reports on county-wide reform efforts each quarter. See the report attached below.
The CJAC completed its fourth fiscal year on June 30, 2022. The year was marked by major progress on several fronts: the beginnings of MAPS 4 implementation of justice-related projects, OKCPD law enforcement policy reforms, continued jail population decline due to diversion programs, fair chance hiring education, continued detention center process improvements and, of course, voter approval of a new jail bond. Nevertheless, just as various system improvements advance, constant vigilance is required to keep building on the foundations of progress toward more advanced system change.
Jail Population is Down
As the chart shows, the concerning and chronic jail overcrowding of the last two decades has receded to a new trend at or under 1,700 (FY20 count of 1,713 was inflated because of high DOC counts due to COVID.) This new, historic trend works well with the capacity of the new jail. The good news is that the various pre-trial release and alternative sentencing programs believe they have more capacity. Such expanded capacity signals that future jail detainees won’t have to endure the overcrowding that has plagued the community.
More Mental Health Funding
Oklahoma City’s successful MAPS 4 campaign included several projects that will continue to expand the community’s focus on justice-related issues. Of the 16 projects included in the MAPS 4 package, the following are ones that will positively impact the county’s justice system:
$45 million for mental health and addiction facilities and services.
$19 million for the Diversion Hub.
$50 million-plus to reduce homelessness.
Doc Intake from County Continues to Drop
One result of the declining OK County Detention Center population that has occurred over the last five years is a notable reduction in the number of people from Oklahoma County ending up in prison in the Department of Corrections. As the chart below shows, since Fiscal Year 2018, the number of people from Oklahoma County who end their court process with a prison sentence to DOC dropped by 949 people or 39%.
New Jail on the Horizon
After three decades, numerous task forces, committees, studies, and multiple proposals, Oklahoma County voters finally took control of a chronic community problem: the OK County jail. On June 28, 2022, Oklahoma County voters strongly approved a $260 million bond proposal for a new jail with nearly 60% voter support.
Download the Complete Report Below