Dan Straughan retired in April after 20 years of serving as the Executive Director of Homeless Alliance. In 2004, after working at the Federal Reserve and then United Way, Dan was eager for a new adventure. A visionary group of civic leaders, that later became the founding board of the Homeless Alliance, was searching for better ways to serve Oklahoma City’s unhoused population and selected him as the organization’s first employee.

“Drug courts are a place where people can and do change,” said District Judge Kenneth Stoner in a recent op-ed. “In fact, when people are engaged with compassion and accountability, that change is not just possible, it’s probable and predictable.” Judge Stoner oversees the Oklahoma County Treatment Court (OCTC), which observed National Treatment Court Month in May.

On April 12, 2024 — business leaders, nonprofits, and elected officials met to discuss advancing second chance opportunities for justice-involved individuals at the Economic Mobility Roundtable, presented by Arnall Family Foundation, Vera Institute of Justice, and Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR).

Get to know Chris better with our little Q&A, and check out his bio on our Who We Are page.

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.

In Oklahoma City, hope is on the move. City Care's Mobile Outreach and Engagement (MOE) program offers a compassionate solution to the daunting challenge of transportation and bridges the gap for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

Taking a monumental stride toward building a more equitable justice system, the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub opened its doors in 2020, backed by a vital grant from the Arnall Family Foundation.

Get to know Jessie better with our little Q&A, and check out her bio on our Who We Are page.

Today, we dive into an issue that significantly impacts the criminal legal landscape of Oklahoma - the staggering backlog of active warrants.

Adopting a more compassionate and human-centered approach to community safety is necessary now more than ever. Community policing and violence intervention strategies exemplify this approach, offering a promising path towards transforming our communities.

In October 2022, the Arnall Family Foundation launched the Diversion Referral Program at Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC).

Get to know Mary Beth (she/her) better with our little Q&A, below, and check out her bio on our Who We Are page.

Roundtable on Justice and Values in Oklahoma: Examining Racial Disparities in the Criminal Legal System and Reimagining Justice in Oklahoma 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 Disparities in the Criminal Legal System and Reimagining Justice in Oklahom

What is a medical OR and why are they important? 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 Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, known as the jail trust, and the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB). She also talked about the role a medical OR plays in getting v

On March 7, 2023, Oklahoma will have a special election with State Question 820 on the ballot. Whether or not you are a cannabis consumer, there’s a reason you should have an opinion regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana in our state. The reality is: when the law impacts one, it impacts us all.

Gangs are often associated with violence, drugs, and crime, but there is a wide range of legal definitions for what constitutes a "gang."

Q&A with Major Garner On December 16, 2022, the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, also known as the Jail Trust, named Maj. Brandi Garner interim CEO of the Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC). Garner has served as director of security at OCDC since January 2022, providing direct supervision of four captains and indirect responsibility for more than 300 employees. Garner served alongside outgoing CEO, Greg Williams, through his last day on Jan. 19, 2023. Previous

Get to know Jenessa better with our little Q&A, below, and check out her bio on our Who We Are page.

OKC Human Rights Commission Returns As we enter a new year there is always a renewed sense of strategy and vision. At AFF, we’re grateful for the folks doing the very important work to ensure everyone in Oklahoma City can live a life free from discrimination. One of those groups is the Communities for Human Rights, more specifically its team leaders Maurianna Adams, MPA and Dr. Andrea Benjamin. Communities for Human Rights, the Arnall Family Foundation, and Communities Founda

Get to know Jeff better with our little Q&A, and check out her bio on our Who We Are page.

Get to know Perrin better with our little Q&A, and check out her bio on our Who We Are page.