NEW STUDY MEASURES PROGRESS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM
analyze data from the detention center, review state statutes and agency policies and interview numerous system stakeholders. CJI assists agency leaders and practitioners in developing and implementing effective justice system policies that achieve better outcomes and build stronger, safer communities. CJI works with local, state, tribal and national justice organizations to provide nonpartisan policy analysis, implementation consulting, capacity-building assistance and research services to advance evidence-based practices and create systems-level change. The result of this assessment included seven findings about the county’s criminal justice system identified within this report. Overall, the county has achieved its primary goal of reducing its population to address overcrowding, as the population has decreased 46% since 2015. The new study provides a current roadmap to continue the reform work in the next few years.
Data Review by CJI:
CJI began its study with a review of data. CJI noted that their data assessment and analysis was more robust than the Vera Institute report data section due to greater data availability and upgraded agency data systems, including the jail’s data system. CJI found that from July 1, 2015, to July 1, 2022, the jail’s population reduced by 37% from 2,414 to 1,523.
In 2016, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber in collaboration with community leaders created the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Reform Task Force to assess the county’s criminal justice system and make recommendations to safely reduce the jail population and create a more effective justice system. The assessment, conducted by the Vera Institute of Justice, culminated in six recommendations for the county to responsibly reduce the jail’s population and promote public safety. Those six recommendations – found on page 3 of this report – have been the guiding light for justice reform efforts for the last five years. Last year, CJAC requested a follow-up study to identify which recommendations the county has and has not fully implemented as well as what further improvements in the system are necessary to achieve the Task Force’s goals. To conduct this analysis, CJAC sought assistance from the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) to
The study also found that between 2015 and 2022, both the number of unique individuals booked into the jail and total admissions decreased by more than 40%.
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