Brandi Garner, CEO of the Oklahoma County Detention Center, announced on Friday that she will be resigning from her position, effective February 7. Garner's impending departure comes after a tumultuous period for the facility, which included the year's first detainee death and a failed health inspection report. In a memo to the jail trust, details of which were obtained by KOCO, she cited "a desire to prioritize my family life, spiritual growth, and personal wellbeing" as her reasons for stepping down.
With less than two years in the top administrative spot, after being named interim CEO in December 2022, Garner previously served as the jail's director of security since January 2022. Her resignation followed the departure of the former CEO Greg Williams in January of the previous year. Taking the reins in May 2023, as the permanent CEO, amidst a backdrop of challenges, she has been a central figure in attempting to steer the detention center towards stability. "This decision has not been made lightly, nor is it a reaction to recent challenges," Garner said in the letter, a statement that was reported by KOCO.
Outspoken criticism has been voiced by some, including Sara Bana, a member of the People's Council for Justice Reform, who claims the jail trust is at the heart of the issues plaguing the facility. According to an interview with KFOR, Bana stated, "When the jail trust took over, we also saw a mass exodus of employees who had the training and the experience and the qualifications to run the jail." Bana added that Garner's tenure did not bring the necessary improvements, saying, "The understaffing continues and unfortunately, she didn’t bring in the proper policies, cultures and protocols to be able to reform the place."
As it stands, the search for Garner's replacement will begin shortly. Chairman Joe M. Allbaugh of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority lauded Garner, "Her service to the staff and residents is deeply appreciated. This job is extremely difficult and demanding on both the CEO and her family." These comments were made available by KOCO. Garner herself remains committed to assisting with the transition, asserting in her resignation letter, "I remain fully committed to preparing the team for continued progress." She emphasized, until her final day, that her dedication to public safety and innovation in the criminal justice field will not waver.
