OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A coalition of native activists and religion leaders joined collectively Friday at a northeast Oklahoma City church to call for change in Oklahoma County jail management.
They originally met earlier this week the place they stated they’ve waited for change, however they declare the problems have gotten worse and never higher.
“We waited to see the death decline. We waited to see horror stories of the jail dissipate. We waited to see the direction change. But we see right now that it is not happening,” stated native pastor, the Rev. Dr. John Reed Jr. on Friday. “Mr. Williams is incapable of righting the ship.”
The call comes because the jail has seen double–digit deaths thus far in 2022.
“Rikers Island has a population of approximately 5,700 inmates and has seen 16 deaths this year,“ said the Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck, he Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches. “Our jail has a rough population of 1,700 and has had so far 14 deaths this year. Rikers Island has a death rate at 2.8 deaths per 1000, and ours has a rate of 8.2 per 1000.”
“It’s obvious that we need to go in a different direction with the Oklahoma County jail and the administration,” stated native activist, Jabee Williams.
The group spoke on what they referred to as horrible residing situations inside. They talked about particular cases just like the hostage situation involving a corrections officer in early 2021 and an alleged rape of a female detainee by a male inmate in July, amongst different issues, that led to their call for change.
“It compels action on our part to address the very concerning and rapid deterioration of the Oklahoma County jail,” Reed stated. “The Jail Trust must find new leadership, that it must depart from its current path under the leadership of the current jail administrator, Mr. Gregg Williams.”
The Oklahoma County Jail Trust launched a press release Friday:
“In his time as CEO of the Oklahoma County Jail, Greg Williams has provided excellent service to our community, especially to the detainees and staff at the jail.
Under exceedingly difficult circumstances, including a global pandemic, he has overseen projects which made material improvements in conditions, reversing decades of neglect in the facility. As the Jail Trust acknowledges, much work remains to improve safety and security and, most importantly, to do everything we can to stop deaths in the facility. We work constantly to increase staffing levels and remain vigilant against contraband.
We thank members of the faith community and others who have shared their concerns and their desire to make things better, and we remain committed to making improvements to protect staff and detainees.”
Jim Couch, Oklahoma County Jail Trust Chair
One of the newest Jail Trust members, Pastor Derrick Scobey launched the next assertion:
“I listened rigorously to what was expressed by many Pastors and group members this morning at Fairview Baptist Church. I discovered their evaluation of the scenario on the jail and their prescription to be correct and obligatory. I’ll act in response to their instructions and in the curiosity of the group, as a result of I’m accountable to the group as a member of the Trust. I additionally agree that the time to search out new management for the jail is upon us.
I used to be upset by Mr. Couch’s response to the affordable and nearly unanimously-supported request for change, as a result of I discovered it to be dismissive of revered elders, clergy, leaders, and an awesome majority of individuals residing in this county. Everyone, besides Mr. Couch it appears, understands that regardless of Mr. Williams’ greatest efforts, he has confirmed himself incapable of doing the job as much as our requirements.
The jail stays a spot of loss of life, horror, and hurt. And I’m dedicated to remediating these current situations with all my would possibly. I solely ask that every one of us convicted of our ethical duty to assist accomplish that and attend the subsequent Jail Trust assembly on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 1 p.m.
Thank you,
Derrick Scobey
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