in 2015. That work spurred the creation of CJAC, a permanent oversight body responsible for executing six key recommendations: establishing oversight mechanisms, reducing jail admissions for low-level offenses, improving pre-trial release processes, addressing court case processing delays, expanding diversion programs and mitigating the impact of fines and fees on jail growth and recidivism. Substantial progress has been made on several of those goals, including increasing the use of diversion programs. Pre-trial release, alternative sentencing and mental health diversion programs have all expanded. INNOVATIVE DIVERSION PROGRAM SEES RAPID EXPANSION In less than a year, the Court-Ordered Outpatient (CO-OP) mental health diversion program has grown to over 160 participants. It is expected to continue expanding, especially with the recent addition of three recovery navigators to the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub. These navigators, all Peer Recovery Support Specialists and graduates of the Oklahoma County Treatment Court Programs, play a crucial role in assisting clients with various needs, including housing, employment, benefits applications and obtaining identification documents. They also help clients stay compliant with their outpatient services. The recovery navigators’ primary goal is to facilitate the transition of clients from the Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC) to their outpatient treatment providers, ensuring they receive services promptly. After this initial connection, the navigators continue to support clients and provide access to stabilizing services while ensuring they attend their appointments. They maintain close communication with the courts, providing regular updates on clients’ progress and serving as a resource for CO-OP court staff and providers. Leveraging their personal experiences and professional training, the recovery navigators create
a safe environment for clients and guide them toward becoming healthy, stable and independent. OKLAHOMA COUNTY’S DOC INTAKE PLUMMETS: DIVERSION PROGRAMS CREDITED The ongoing decline in the OCDC population has led to a significant decrease in the number of individuals from Oklahoma County being sent to prison at the Department of Corrections (DOC). Since 2018, the number of individuals from Oklahoma County receiving a DOC prison sentence has decreased by nearly 48%. COLLABORATION KEY TO SUSTAINING SUCCESS This reduction in prison admissions from Oklahoma County sends a clear message to the governor and Legislature that a crucial strategy for alleviating prison overcrowding is to allocate state resources to county diversion programs, as envisioned by State Question 781 (SQ 781). In line with this, in 2023, the Legislature and governor allocated $12.5 million to counties to fulfill the objectives of SQ 781. Oklahoma County received nearly $2.5 million to enhance nine different diversion and treatment programs. The sustainability of such an expansion will depend on continued collaboration between the governor and the Legislature during the 2024 session.
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