Money might hold key to solving Oklahoma County jail's problems
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By Bryan Dean
Published: September 8, 2008
By the end of the year, a citizen's committee appointed to solve problems at the Oklahoma County jail should have some answers — and a price tag to go with them.
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Where past panels have failed
In recent years, various committees have looked at how to manage the jail's population, whether a trust should be put in charge of the jail's management and how the county might pay for renovations or new structures to atone for design flaws.
None of those committees came up with a successful long-term fix for the jail's problems.
Vaughn said his committee will succeed where others didn't.
"Not only are we going to give them some expectations, we are going to give them a deadline,” Vaughn said. "We can't sit and wait another three years because of the Justice Department's report and because of our need to solve this sooner rather than later.”
Vaughn said he is giving the committee until the end of the year to come up with recommendations.
Whetsel said one of the biggest hurdles will be persuading those groups with representatives on the committee, including Oklahoma City, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the district attorney and the public defender, to help lead the effort to get voters to pay for whatever solution is reached.
District 2 Commissioner Brent Rinehart, a longtime critic of Whetsel's management of the jail, said he opposes using taxpayer money to build on to the jail or build a new one.
"We need to stop looking at taxpayers to subsidize the growth of government,” Rinehart said.
Jail funding is not ‘glamorous'
Whesel, who led an unsuccessful effort in 2003 to pass a sales tax to pay for operating the jail, said he expects a tough fight if and when the issue is brought to voters, but believes it is a battle that can be won.
"I understand that a jail is not the No. 1 thing people would want to spend their money on,” Whetsel said. "It doesn't have fountains, and it doesn't have a canal through it. It's not glamorous.”
When the last jail was built, the county ended up suing the companies that designed and built the jail after a series of escapes and other problems related to flawed designs and construction.
Clabes said the ultimate responsibility for coaxing voters will rest with the county's elected officials.
He said people won't support funding for the jail if county officials can't get behind the effort and if the political squabbling which has become a hallmark of county government continues.
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Did you see the other story about sending more deputies to LA? I have no problem with helping out those in need; however, I do believe charity begins at home. I don't know how we can send so many of our deputies to another state when one of the major problems with our jail (as we have been told numerous times) is not enought deputies to properly supervise the inmates. How do be justify paying the county employees help out in another state when we supposedly don't have enough manpower here to take care of your needs? Poor administration is the answer.