‘Restoring Hope’: Diversion Hub Leaders Commit To Reducing Okla. Incarceration With Future Building

An Oklahoma City jail diversion program will soon have a new home. The Diversion Hub helps people navigate the criminal justice system.  

“Public safety is not locking people up,” said Meagan Taylor, executive director of the Diversion Hub.  

The Prison Policy Initiative shows a majority of people sitting in Oklahoma jails haven’t been convicted of a crime. 

“We’ve been in the top three for incarceration rates for quite some time,” Taylor said. “That’s something we should be ashamed of.”  

Taylor said incarceration produces a cycle. Taylor would know, she served inside the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office. 

“When I was a prosecutor, I saw the same people coming through the dockets over and over again,” Taylor said. “The community tends to focus a lot on nonviolent offenders.”  

The Prison Policy Initiative grades states on their parole release system. Oklahoma gets an F.  

“I don’t think the system is fair,” Taylor said. “I think the system treats everyone the same like they have had access to the same opportunities, and we know that’s not the case.”  

The Diversion Hub connects people navigating the criminal justice system. It sticks up for people who don’t have the money or the voice to represent them in court.  

“I think Diversion Hub is working,” Taylor said. “I think there’s a lot of synergy in this community to do good and help people.”   

With the help of MAPS 4 funding, Taylor’s team will have a new home with the space to help more people. The total cost of the project is $15 million. 

“I think our ultimate goal is to change the system altogether,” Taylor said.   

Taylor said they’re building toward more than a new roof.  

“Restoring hope,” Taylor said. 

Building a community where a person’s finances don’t determine the time they spend behind bars.  

“We’ve come together as a community,” Taylor said. “Albeit, we still have a lot of work to do.” 

Construction on the new Diversion Hub location is expected in early 2024.