Oklahoma County jail reports drop in contraband overdoses, outlines staffing and medical changes

Mark O’Brien, communications director for the Oklahoma County Detention Center, told the Citizens Advisory Board on March that contraband overdoses that prompted heavy Narcan use in January have dropped sharply after changes to intake and other procedures.

“In January, we administered 52 doses of Narcan,” O’Brien said. “So far in the last month of February, we administered 9.” He added that the facility’s average per‑person need is typically one to two doses, though some cases have required more.

O’Brien said the jail changed procedures in intake and the mail room, sped changes to clothing policy so newly booked people are dressed in facility clothing immediately, and began periodic canine searches with the Office of Inspector General to find contraband introduced by staff, contractors or incoming detainees. He said the jail also is partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on certain investigations.

On medical services, the jail ended its contract with the previous provider, Turnkey, late last year and moved medical care in‑house. O’Brien said the jail has hired roughly 52 medical staff and a full‑time medical director, Dr. Winchester. He said the county is still analyzing monthly costs and outside medical expenses previously covered by the contractor and that the chief financial officer can provide detailed numbers to the trust in future reports.

Staffing and training remain priorities. O’Brien said the facility employs about 342 full‑time staff in total, roughly 290 of whom are detention employees; about 180 are certified detention officers and about 52 are medical employees. The jail began a detention officer academy in February that started with roughly 26 cadets and had about 18 still enrolled at the time of the briefing; the academy is an eight‑week program with a planned April graduation and a new class expected to start May 1.

O’Brien described facility upgrades under way: a $4.5 million HVAC replacement funded with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money and door/window retrofits for about 20 cell doors to improve observation. He also said the jail acquired tablets (one per roughly two detainees) to support video calls, scanned family mail to reduce contraband, and added programming partnerships—an MOU with the Urban League, weekly AA meetings, Calm Waters grief support, a GED program accessible on tablets, and a designated care unit for family inquiries.

Intake screening data tracked since August 2024 showed about 10,000 bookings; roughly 50% of people who answered intake questions reported at least one of the screening items. Of respondents, about 18% reported contact with mental‑health services, 20% alcohol abuse, 8% opioid use, 4% veterans and 28% reported homelessness. O’Brien cautioned these are self‑reported answers and not independently validated.

Population and operational figures included a current population of 1,441 (as of March 10), an average daily population near 1,400 for the year, about 54 bookings per day, and an average length of stay of six to six‑and‑a‑half days. In February the jail recorded about 1,600 bookings (approximately 1,200 men and 396 women). O’Brien said the jail holds roughly 160 people serving sentences awaiting transfer to the Department of Corrections; DOC transports typically occur at a rate of 10–20 transfers weekly and depend on DOC bed availability. He said ICE holds were running around 70–80 and noted the daily figure fluctuates.

Board members pressed for additional financial detail about the in‑house medical program and outside care costs. O’Brien said the jail is still consolidating billing and contract data and recommended follow‑up with the trust’s CFO. He also said detention officers are the first responders for overdoses, paramedics on staff respond with medical care, and many overdose patients are transported to area hospitals—often St. Anthony’s—and then returned when cleared.

The presentation concluded with board members encouraged to tour the facility and to expect more reporting on costs and program outcomes at future trust meetings.