County Commissioner Reports 'Marked Improvements' At County Jail

The lone democrat on the Oklahoma County Commission gave a positive report from the Oklahoma County Jail at a Monday meeting. 

County Commissioner Carrie Blumert said the improvements are a welcome sign of a turnaround at the facility. 

“I have seen marked improvements. I was very happy about that,” she said. 

Over the past year the facility has been plagued by bedbugs, mold, staffing issues, escapes and overcrowding.  But today, it’s a different story according to Blumert. 

“Everything that I’m reporting is good, but it’s still our jail, it’s still not it’s still not an easy place to be,” Blumert said. 

Each county commissioner is required by law to visit the facility and report back their findings. Blumert said she spent nearly two hours in the facility last month and was pleased with improvements in the cleanliness and care being given to detainees. 

“The mold was gone. I didn’t smell the mold, I didn’t really smell anything else,” she said. “This time is significantly better; you can tell they put a lot of effort into making the place a cleaner space.” 

Despite the much-improved report, Blumert said she still supports building a new facility. 

“It’s just not an adequate facility for the human needs that we have in that building. People need fresh air; they need to be able to move around we need space for our community partners.” 

Last month, commissioners unanimously agreed to begin the process of figuring out how to build a new facility, a process, Blumert has a long road ahead.