for FY21 has been above both those FY19 and FY20 yearly averages ranging from a low of 1,732 to a high of 1,840 per month. However, for both the first and second quarters of FY21, the jail population awaiting transfer to DOC has been well above average ranging as high as 453 in July, just as the Trust Authority was taking control of the Detention Center, to a low of 172 in September. Comparatively, the jail population in 2006 was over 1,000 persons greater on December 31 with a total population of 2,781. Although the interruption in the DOC transfer schedule has increased the jail population, the underlying jail population numbers continue to be in line with FY19 and FY20 averages. If not for the delays in DOC transfers, the FY21 monthly averages would be at or below the FY19 and FY20 averages, which is an encouraging sign that despite COVID-19, progress to safely reduce the jail population continues. The work of the CJAC partner agencies is taking our community into positive territory that hasn’t been seen in the county in two decades. The partner agencies and CJAC stakeholders believe even more can be done to safely reduce the jail population and
increase the fairness and effectiveness of the county justice system. UPGRADED DATA SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE RELIABLE DATA One of the top issues cited by the Vera Institute in their original analysis of Oklahoma County’s system was the lack of reliable data for decision-making. Significant strides toward fixing that problem were implemented in 2020. The Public Defender’s office and the District Attorney implemented new systems in FY20 and the Sheriff’s office, in connection with the Jail Trust Authority, are implementing a new system that will launch in early 2021. In early 2021, the court and diversion programs are implementing a phone app that will help clients of the court manage their case, receiving text reminders about court dates, testing deadlines or other dates that are vital to keeping their case on track. The final data project in progress is the creation of a dashboard and tracking mechanism. The CJAC is working with Open Justice Oklahoma, which created a similar dashboard for Tulsa County.
C R I M I N A L J U S T I C E R E F O R M
JAIL TRUST CREATED TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS
Five of the 16 MAPS 4 projects will positively impact people involved in the county’s justice system or help prevent their participation, including: $40 million for mental health and addiction, $17 million for the Diversion Hub, $38 million for a new family justice center, $50 million to reduce homelessness, and $110 million to fund youth centers to aid prevention efforts and assist youth in healthy lifestyle choices, redirecting them away from incarceration. The Diversion Hub became the first of these projects to open in June 2020 and is successfully serving the community. The Diversion Hub works with low- level offenders to pivot their path away from jail and hopefully prison and redirect their life to more positive outcomes. This successful intervention will not only benefit the justice-involved individual but also will increase public safety in the community and keep more individuals available for employment. This innovative idea for the Diversion Hub will transform OKC’s approach to criminal justice, relieve pressure on the Oklahoma County jail and help low-level offenders establish a more productive life. OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL POPULATION CONTINUES TO DECLINE For Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), the total jail population average was 1,624, down from 1,663 for most of FY19. The trend for monthly average jail population
For more than a decade, multiple task forces and committees recommended the creation of a Trust Authority to oversee operations of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. In 2020, with the recommendation of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC), the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the Trust 3-0 to create the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority (OCCJA)—also known as the Jail Trust Authority. The OCCJA took full operational and financial control of the facility on July 1, 2020. The new authority developed a mission statement and goals and is using this framework as guidance to recruit and develop staff. The Mission of the OCCJA: To provide protection through efficient and effective services and intervention leading to no victimization, and more personal growth and development. DIVERSION HUB OPENS AS MAPS 4 INCLUDES OVER $110 MILLION IN JUSTICE- RELATED PROJECTS The City of Oklahoma City’s fourth MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) program includes several projects that will continue to expand the community’s focus on justice-related issues.
OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL TOTAL POPULATION
3000
2781
2500
1833
1805
1732
1741
1737
1624
2000
1500
1000
500
0
DEC. 31, 2006
FY 20 1 YR. AVG
AUG. 2020 AVG.
SEPT. 2020 AVG.
OCT. 2020 AVG.
NOV. 2020 AVG.
DEC. 2020 AVG.
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