The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) assists women and men through the Oklahoma County Jail Pre-Trial Release Initiative, a collaborative community program providing immediate access to community support, education, job training, legal assistance, case management services, and job placement services through TEEM’s self-sufficiency and work readiness service model. In addition, the program connects participants with appropriate levels of substance abuse treatment and mental health care. Members of this collaboration include TEEM, the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, members of the Oklahoma County Judiciary, and other community partners.

Outcomes from the first two years of the Pre-trial Release Initiative have validated its need in Oklahoma County and served as partial inspiration for future efforts in pre-trial reform for the state. The many successes of Pre-trial participants demonstrate the value of treatment and assistance over incarceration for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. This model equips and empowers system impacted individuals with the skills necessary to become productive members of society. The Pre-trial Release Initiative has served 701 participants since its inception in September 2017.