A detainee at the Cleveland County Detention Center was declared dead earlier today, with the cause of death yet to be determined. OKC FOX reports that Sheriff Chris Amason informed the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners about the incident on the same day.
The identity of the deceased inmate has not been released as authorities await notification of next of kin. According to information from KOCO 5, the prisoner was discovered lifeless this morning before being transported to the medical examiner's office. Investigative duties concerning the untimely death have been taken over by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
In response to this incident, the Board of Commissioners was quoted as saying, "Commissioners are saddened by the loss of life at the detention center and, while recognizing that inmate populations tend to be higher-risk than the average population, they find any preventable loss of life unacceptable," as reported by multiple news outlets, including KOCO 5. This statement echoes sentiments expressed earlier this year regarding concerns over inmate mortality rates within the facility.
Additionally, the county has taken steps to scrutinize its detention center's operations and health services. Having approved a contract on August 9, 2024, with SIMCO Correctional Consulting, LLC, they tasked the Missouri-based consultant with investigating detainee deaths. The firm specializes in jail and prison operations and safety protocols. They aim to identify the causes of fatalities and outline a strategy to bolster health and safety measures, receiving $3,000 upfront plus an additional $350 per hour for the investigation, as detailed in the contract reviewed by The Oklahoman. Additionally, the firm will examine Turn Key Health's policies, the health care provider for the detention center.
At present, the results of the medical examiner's investigation into the cause of death and the findings from SIMCO's inquiry into the jail's conditions and policies remain pending. The community and the inmate's kin await answers in the shadow of this tragedy.
