Oklahoma County Jail Fails Health Inspection After Not Allowing OSDH Inside Facility

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Two failed health inspections in about as many weeks for the Oklahoma County jail.

According to two Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports, the jail didn’t allow health inspectors to enter their facility unannounced on June 25 and July 9.

The OSDH says that’s a violation, and the reason why the Oklahoma County Detention Center failed both inspections.

“They’ve actually failed nine health inspections since 2019,” Mark Faulk with the People’s Council for Justice Reform said.

Faulk is sharing concerns after records show jail staff telling inspectors both times that there aren’t enough staff members to walk with them around the jail.

“I believe that the public should be outraged. If this were any other business in Oklahoma County and they failed multiple inspections, they would’ve been shut down.”

The District Attorney’s office wrote the Health Dept. a letter today, telling them they once again have exceeded their lawful authority.

The DA’s office also invited the Health Dept. back to the jail for an inspection on July 29, August 1 or August 20.

“It’s stunning to me,” Faulk said. “I’m shocked that they believe they’re above the law. That’s what I feel like this is. I feel like the county jail, the jail trust, the county commissioners and now even our district attorney believe they’re above state law.”

The DA’s office is giving the Health Dept. until Friday, July 12 to accept their invite.