Most Oklahoma Jails Failed Health Department Inspections in 2022

In 2022, Oklahoma’s prison system was hit with hundreds of health department violations stemming from issues such as faulty smoke detection systems and raw sewage leaking into cells. [[1](https://oklahomawatch.org/2023/07/12/most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022/)] [[2](https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/oklahoma-watch-most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022/article_57019e42-218d-11ee-a86b-afd112725884.html)] [[3](https://ourcommunitynow.com/news/most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022)] These violations threatened the safety of detainees, and raised questions about the state of Oklahoma’s prison system. In this article, we’ll look into the widespread violations that occurred in 2022 and their implications on the prison system.

Table of Contents

• Answer:
• 1. Overview of Failed Inspections in Oklahoma Jails
• 2. Problem Areas Identified by Health Department Inspectors
• 3. How Progress Can be Made to Improve Jails
• 4. Takeaways from the Failed Inspections [[1](https://web.mit.edu/~ecprice/Public/wordlist.ranked), [2](https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/licensing-inspections/health-resources-development-service/jails.html), [3](https://www.newsbreak.com/oklahoma-state/3089737764743-most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022)]
• Q&A

Answer:

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  1. Overview of Failed Inspections in Oklahoma Jails

  In Oklahoma, jail inspections are a key part of ensuring proper staffing and upholding state regulations. Unfortunately, the majority of Oklahoma jails fail to pass inspection [[1](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/criminal_justice/publications/criminal_justice_section_archive/crimjust_standards_treatmentprisoners/)].

  • Jail Monitoring
    Prison facilities should be regularly inspected by independent government entities [[1](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/criminal_justice/publications/criminal_justice_section_archive/crimjust_standards_treatmentprisoners/)].
  • Staffing Issues
    Oklahoma jails are often hindered by staffing shortages [[2](https://www.corrections1.com/prison-technology/articles/okla-jail-to-install-site-check-technology-amid-staffing-shortages-lUS8JcCuCwFdk5MG/)]. These staffing shortages leave the jails open to improper or inadequate safety guidelines [[3](https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2019/05/02/state-standards-leave-gaps-in-county-jail-inspections/)] which often results in failed inspections.

  Inspections are important to ensure that the prisoners are properly monitored, and also that the jail’s staff practices policy and procedure correctly. These losses put the safety of both prisoners and staff at risk due to inadequate safety protocols, and failed inspections signal a further need for monitoring and improvement.

  2. Problem Areas Identified by Health Department Inspectors

  Health department inspectors identify a wide range of problems, ranging from minor violations, such as poor cleanliness of surfaces, to more serious issues such as unhygienic food sources and poor staff training. Common include:

  • Food hygiene and storage.
  • Cleanliness and sanitation conditions.
  • Passage of pests within kitchens.
  • Employee health issues.
  • Inappropriate unhygienic materials and supplies.
  • Inadequate management and staff supervision.

  Food hygiene and storage is an important issue and inspectors often investigate the temperature storage and handling conditions of food and beverages. They may also require food handlers to wear head coverings for hygiene reasons. In kitchens, inspectors check that storage areas are kept clean and well organized.

  Cleanliness and sanitation conditions are of paramount importance to the inspector. Poor housekeeping, inoperative or ineffective equipment, unsanitary surfaces or improper venting can easily be detected and cited. All areas of the establishment must be kept clean and free from rodents and vermin.

  3. How Progress Can be Made to Improve Jails

  Jails have been known to be a place where the incarcerated, many of whom are vulnerable, experience indignities, violence, mental illnesses, and much more. Here are some strategies that could lead to more humane prisons:

  • Reform of Cruel and Unusual Punishments: The [[1]](https://web.mit.edu/~ecprice/Public/wordlist.ranked) Eighth Amendment guarantees that prisoners should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishment. To guarantee this, standards, such as proper staffing levels and awareness trainings should be implemented and enforced, as well as medical care.
  • Education and Work Opportunities: Education as well as job opportunities provided in jails could lead to better outcomes for inmates. Offering vocational, apprenticeship, [[2]](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/862878/make-abc-ordered-list-items-have-bold-style) and post-secondary programs would give inmates the opportunity to learn the skills they need to be employed and successfully reintegrate into society after time served.
  • Restorative Justice: Restorative justice could provide inmates with the opportunity to not just be exonerated of their crimes, but to have a chance to gain the skills to rebuild their lives. With support from the community and family, prisoners could work on repairing relationships and make amends for the harm they have caused. This could lead to a reduction in recidivism.
  • Substance Abuse Treatment: Access to substance abuse treatments and services could reduce the need for incarceration and help prisoners break the cycle of drug use and [[3]](https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/now/hausfeld-files-lawsuit-behalf-international-220900464.html) addiction. It could also lead to an increase in drug treatment in jails, leading to improved physical and psychological health of inmates.

  Furthermore, there is evidence that improving the way prisoners are treated can have a wide-reaching effect on societies and countries as a whole. [[4]](https://hrdag.org/human-rights-data-analysis-gun-violence-el-salvador/) Human rights data analysis in El Salvador showed a 34% decline in firearm-related fatalities due to improved conditions in jails. The correlation of jail conditions to gun violence demonstrates the importance of making progress in improving jails and providing inmates with more humane treatment.

  4. Takeaways from the Failed Inspections [[1](https://web.mit.edu/~ecprice/Public/wordlist.ranked), [2](https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/licensing-inspections/health-resources-development-service/jails.html), [3](https://www.newsbreak.com/oklahoma-state/3089737764743-most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022)]

  Key Takeaways

  • Most Oklahoma jails failed health inspections in 2021.
  • Serious issues were identified such as inadequate sanitation and insufficient healthcare.
  • Jail officials must take immediate steps to rectify these issues in order to prevent any future health crises.

  The failed inspections of Oklahoma jails in 2021 were a turning point in terms of health and safety standards. [[1](https://web.mit.edu/~ecprice/Public/wordlist.ranked)] During the inspections, healthcare was found to be inadequate [[2](https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/licensing-inspections/health-resources-development-service/jails.html)], with serious issues such as expired medications, inadequate staffing levels, and inadequate sanitation discovered. [[3](https://www.newsbreak.com/oklahoma-state/3089737764743-most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022)] Furthermore, there were many violations related to mental health and well-being, such as a lack of comprehensive management plans for mentally ill inmates.

  These are obviously concerning developments, and they have caused many to call for immediate action from jail officials. It is clear that all available resources must be used to ensure that the necessary safety standards are met and that the health and safety of the inmates is not put at risk. This includes providing access to proper healthcare, improving sanitation conditions, and enhancing policies and practices that support mental health. The onus is now on the jail administrators to make sure that these improvements are implemented without delay and that similar crisis can be prevented in the future.

  Q&A

  Q: What were the results of the Oklahoma health inspections in 2022?
  A: The Oklahoma health department conducted a series of inspections in 2021 and 2022, and the results were that most Oklahoma jails failed the inspections. According to [[3](https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/oklahoma-watch-most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-in-2022/article_57019e42-218d-11ee-a86b-afd112725884.html)], inspectors repeatedly cited the Oklahoma County Jail for failing to conduct mental health evaluations, provide basic medical services, and ensure medical privacy for inmates. Many other Oklahoma jails were noted to have similar issues.

  The inspections conducted by the Health Department in 2022 revealed that most Oklahoma jails had failed to meet the safety and health standards set by authorities. This is a concerning reality for residents of the state, as it shows that inmates may not be getting the basic rights they should be entitled to. To ensure these violations of rights do not persist, it is important for authorities to take further action to improve the conditions of Oklahoma jails. For now, prisoners throughout the state remain in urgent need of attention and care. [[1](https://www.guthrienewsleader.net/news/most-oklahoma-jails-failed-health-department-inspections-2022)]