Leaders Gather to Advance Justice System Coordination and Accountability

In a meeting January 10, the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority named Paul Timmons as interim jail director for Oklahoma County Detention Center following the resignation of previous CEO Brandi Garner.

Garner was named interim CEO after the resignation of Greg Williams in 2022, and was permanently selected for the position the following year. Since then, fatalities within the detention center have led many to criticize her management.

When the recent Criminal Justice Authority meeting opened the floor for public comment, many came forward to share their views and experiences with jail conditions and management practices. Several former employees said they had been wrongfully terminated for speaking out about the carelessness and inhumane treatment of detainees. Others came forward with allegations of fraud within the jail system. A former inmate claimed to have purchased heroin from the nurses staffing the detention center.

Family members of deceased incarcerated individuals as well as jail survivors entreated the jail trust for a complete sweep of the system and staffing of the facility. Speakers criticized the trust of mismanagement and an inability to create an actionable plan to put a stop to the statistically preventable deaths.

“The truth is you have failed, in three years 54 deaths, that is all that needs to be said,” said activist Mark Faulk addressing the trust.

Although a new facility has been proposed and a building site decided on, a lack of funding has halted any further action. However, some argue that a new jail doesn’t address the problem.

“The ultimate measuring stick is people being unalived at that facility and failed inspections, not if it smells like potpourri,” said meeting attendee Christopher Johnson. “These are the things that are explained by horrible management, lack of accountability and other issues that are directly linked to the decisions that people make.”

Paul Timmons stated during the meeting that he hears the public’s concerns and is confident that the jail is working to address the issues.

“One of the things we want to focus on is building a strong foundation and shoring up the bases, shifting the public perception, and showing the positive things that we are trying to do and the successes that we have had at the facility,” said Timmons, “The people that are in charge of the different areas of the jail now are people that are capable of making the changes that we all want to see.”