County leaders warn lawmakers about staffing, insurance, and healthcare issues in jails.
County officials in Oklahoma are raising alarms over a range of challenges facing local jails, from staffing shortages and low pay to lawsuits, violence, and insurance coverage problems. Lawmakers heard from leaders across the state during a recent interim study before the Senate Local and County Government Committee, aimed at examining how county jails are insured and funded.
Senator David Bullard, R-Durant, emphasized that issues in Oklahoma jails are widespread and do not happen by chance. The senator noted that each county faces unique problems, but the combination of challenges threatens both employee safety and inmate care. Bullard said he is exploring voluntary jail consolidation as a potential solution and is seeking input from officials across the state.
Insurance coverage for county jails has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Choctaw County Commissioner Jim Bob Sullivan explained that his county’s insurer dropped coverage, forcing local officials to find a new provider. Policies for jails are difficult to obtain, he said, and the premiums often come with high deductibles. Lawsuits related to inmate deaths and drug-related cases have added to the strain, Sullivan noted, and attorneys are increasingly targeting jails for legal claims.
Pushmataha County Commissioner Mike Brittingham highlighted rising liability risks for county facilities. Attorneys monitor incidents closely, and any misstep can lead to inmates being contacted for legal advice. Staffing shortages, sexual assault cases, and the detention of inmates with federal charges all contribute to higher insurance rates. Counties face no limit on potential damages in federal court, creating financial risks that can be difficult to absorb.
Carter County Commissioner Berry Lee-Brinkman said that counties cannot cover large settlements from their own funds, meaning taxpayers ultimately bear the cost of lawsuits. This issue has become a growing concern as counties manage limited budgets while facing increasingly expensive claims.
Access to medical and mental health care for inmates is another pressing problem. Lee-Brinkman said counties struggle to provide around-the-clock medical care due to high costs and recommended that the state help fund inmate healthcare. Atoka County Sheriff Kody Simpson cited a case from 2019 when an inmate died from influenza, leading to a $3.2 million settlement. Officials across the state emphasized that gaps in mental health services force jailers and deputies to monitor inmates continuously, which strains already limited staff.
McCurtain County Commissioner John Wayne Williams said the lack of mental health facilities leaves counties with no option but to assign deputies to monitor patients 24-7. Staffing shortages create safety risks for employees and inmates alike, Simpson added, making it difficult to attract qualified personnel. Low pay and poor working conditions have driven turnover, leaving many counties understaffed and underprepared to meet the needs of their populations.
Officials at the interim study stressed that jail funding, insurance coverage, and access to healthcare are interconnected. Without sufficient funding, counties cannot provide proper care, maintain adequate staffing levels, or protect themselves from costly lawsuits. The challenges highlighted during the study suggest that state-level solutions may be necessary to support local jails and ensure the safety of both inmates and employees.
Lawmakers indicated that discussions on funding, insurance, and potential consolidation will continue. The interim study allows senators to gather information and explore policies aimed at improving the operation and oversight of county jails. With increasing lawsuits, staffing shortages, and rising liability costs, county leaders say the state must act to prevent further strain on local resources and ensure the justice system functions safely and effectively for everyone involved.
Sources:
Oklahoma county officials air concerns about jail lawsuits, insurance coverage issues
Join the conversation!