Latest news with #OCDC
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Oklahoma County jail employee fired, arrested after fight leads to inmate death
An Oklahoma County Detention Center employee was fired and arrested recently after failing to prevent a homicide in the jail, officials allege. According to reports from the OCDC, an altercation between two inmates occurred on April 25. During the altercation, a third inmate nearby made four separate phone calls to the camera operations center, notifying them of the sounds of an assault. The employee only answered two of the calls and, on both occasions, failed to notify security staff or supervisors of the altercation that was happening, according to the OCDC. As a result, 20 minutes had elapsed before the assaulted inmate, 40-year-old Clinton Pike, was found injured during a routine check by another officer. The inmate later died at the hospital as a result of the injuries. The assaulting cellmate was arrested and accused of murder, OCDC reports. The employee, a 62-year-old woman hired by the jail in 2023, was fired and then arrested for second-degree manslaughter and willful neglect to perform duty. The Oklahoman is not naming the suspects because they have not been formally charged. "Negligence that jeopardizes the safety of individuals in our custody will not be tolerated," said Paul Timmons, Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority. "Our commitment to maintaining the security and welfare of all inmates and staff requires that every employee uphold the highest standards of professionalism. When they do not, they will be held accountable to the fullest extent." More: Woman's death reported at Oklahoma County jail. Rachel Nalley is sixth inmate to die in 2025 This is the seventh inmate death in 2025 for the jail. OCDC reported seven inmate deaths by year-end in 2024. The jail has had more than 50 inmate deaths since the trust took over on July 1, 2020. A yearlong investigation by The Oklahoman in 2023 found that the aging facility had become one of the deadliest jails in the nation since the trust oversight began. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County jail employee fired, arrested after inmate death
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Overdoses at the Oklahoma County Jail drop following new security measures
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — New security measures are in place at the Oklahoma County Jail in an effort to prevent contraband and drug overdoses. Despite another inmate death this week, the changes seem to be helping. 'They're doing a lot of work, let's put it that way, inside the jail and outside of the jail,' said Alan Smith, chief of intelligence and investigations for the Oklahoma County Detention Center. According to the Smith, contraband and drug overdose incidents fell from January to February by 85%. The use of Narcan also dropped from 52 to nine incidents. 'A lot of that's due to the teamwork here at the jail, investigations has really ramped up,' said Smith. It all starts the moment inmates walk through the door. 'They go to a strip search and pat down room. Before they weren't being strip searched and pat down immediately, they were kind of intermingled in a common area and stuff was getting passed that way,' said Smith. They're also paying attention to the mailroom. Inmate found unresponsive Monday morning, says OCDC Officials say by listening to inmate calls it's proved the changes are working. 'He said something along the lines of I could get you stuff at DOC, but I don't I don't think I can get it at Oklahoma County anymore and they went on to talk about how difficult it had become,' said Smith. The focus isn't just on inmates, but employees too. K-9 detection dogs from the Oklahoma Human Services Office of Inspector General are being used. 'We don't announce when they're coming and they'll show up and we'll search the entire parking lot, all the cars, they'll go through employee common areas, sniff the employees while they're in the break room,' said Smith. Smith says legal accountability is also key. Two inmates face murder charges in connection to an inmate overdose death in January. 'I think that made a big impact and everyone saw it. It was on the news in each of the pods, so the inmates know we're doing work too,' said Smith. These improvements come amid leadership changes at the jail. Paul Timmons is now serving as acting administrator. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Inmate found unresponsive Monday morning, says OCDC
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma County Detention Center says a female inmate was discovered unresponsive in her cell by officers on Monday morning. According to OCDC, officers found Michelle Young in her cell at 3:50 a.m. and called for medical personnel and began lifesaving measures. She was transported to the hospital and passed away. Four deaths after Friday's wildfire outbreak OCDC officials confirm, Michelle Young was booked into jail on February 13, 2025, for failure to appear on a 2024 Indecent Exposure Charge. She was being held on a $5,000 bond. The death is under investigation as a final determination is made by the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office. Young's family has been notified, says OCDC. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Two Oklahoma County Jail inmates charged with murder for inmate's overdose death in January
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Two current inmates at the Oklahoma County Detention Center have been charged with murder for the overdose death of another inmate in January. The Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office charged 47-year-old Gary Grass and 28-year-old Juan Enriquez with first degree murder on Thursday afternoon in connection to the death of 37-year-old Vincent Riggie last month. Riggie was found dead at around 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 18. After an investigation, the OCDC determined Riggie died from an overdose caused by fentanyl. According to a probable cause affidavit, Enriquez reportedly told an officer during an interview that he gave Grass some fentanyl to exchange with someone in another cell for food. Grass then allegedly gave that fentanyl to Riggie prior to his overdose. The OCDC says that since Riggie's death on January 18, nearly 20 fentanyl-related overdoses have occurred in the jail, and about 50 doses of Narcan have been administered to prevent overdose deaths. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
