OCDC: Gang-Affiliated Individuals Try To Apply To Be Corrections Officers

Jail CEO Brandi Garner says gang members are trying to infiltrate the Oklahoma County jail by applying to be corrections officers.

Garner told the Oklahoma County Jail Trust that more than fifteen percent of recent applicants were gang-affiliated.

Out of 137 applicants for the Oklahoma County Detention Center's upcoming training in August, more than 20 were denied due to gang affiliations-- Garner says partnerships with local law enforcement agencies help ensure criminals don't slip through the cracks to gain access to the jail.

"We have a dedicated team of background investigators that are very thorough in what they do," said Garner.

That team includes a unique partnership with local law enforcement. "We utilize the watch center which is spearheaded by OBN," Garner said.

Donnie Anderson, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control

"They'll call over and say hey we're doing a check on John Smith, we want to know if he has any known gang ties or any affiliations to anyone inside the doc and we'll do a check on that," said Donnie Anderson, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control.

Anderson says it prevents crime inside the jail, "A lot of contraband will come through those individuals."

And crime outside the jail. "They're the connection to outside to further their criminal enterprise whether it be drug trafficking, human trafficking, homicide, et cetera," Anderson said.

After investigation, OCDC academy applicants applying with this intent could be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

Garner says the partnership with OBN is invaluable, and even alerted them to several existing staff members with gang affiliations, some who had been with the jail for years. Those people were terminated immediately.