There are over 47,000 active warrants in Oklahoma County, some of them go back to the 70’s and many are for offenses as minor as missing a court date or being unable to pay fines and fees. Having a warrant creates numerous barriers to accessing stable housing,...

In a society often entangled with the complex webs of the justice system, the need for innovative, effective, and humane solutions is paramount. Taking a monumental stride toward building a more equitable justice system, the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub opened its...

In the June 30 issue of the OKC Friday we wrote about an issue that significantly impacts the criminal legal landscape of Oklahoma – the staggering backlog of active warrants. With an extensive backlog of active warrants in Oklahoma County, we think it’s worth looking...

Adopting a more compassionate and human-centered approach to community safety is necessary now more than ever. Traditional public safety models often rely heavily on law enforcement, which may not always be the most effective or appropriate response to various...

In October 2022, the Arnall Family Foundation launched the Diversion Referral Program at Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC). The program aims to bridge the gap between successful programs and eligible individuals, streamlining the transfer of information and...

This February, Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM), in partnership with the Square One Project at Columbia University’s Justice Lab hosted the inaugural Roundtable on Justice and Values in Oklahoma: Examining Racial...

The term ‘medical OR’ has been mentioned in several recent conversations about the Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC). Interim CEO of the jail, Maj. Brandi Garner, has started reporting the number of medical ORs requested and granted in her reports to the...