Friday, May 16, 2008
- Mark Beutler
OPEA is weighing in on a continuing struggle between the state Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) and Oklahoma County.
Last month an associate district judge said OJA must remove juvenile offenders from the county’s center within 45 days because of overcrowding. Earlier this week an Oklahoma County public defender said the overcrowding continued to be a problem, and asked the judge to declare OJA in contempt for not moving the offenders out quickly enough. The judge agreed, and now OJA Director Gene Christian faces a June 3 hearing and possible jail time.
“OPEA has been talking about the need for more bed space for at least 10 years,” said Sterling Zearley, OPEA Executive Director.
“Having these kids in that kind of overcrowded environment is just asking for more trouble. They need to be in and out quickly, and into programs that could help with rehabilitation.
The state’s juvenile justice system has a capacity shortage because of the recent closings of two facilities. The state has a total of 336 beds in its three remaining centers. This week Oklahoma County’s Juvenile Justice Center was housing 88 offenders in an 80-bed facility.
“It’s unfortunate that it takes a lawsuit to bring these issues to light; this is another prime example of our state agencies and employees being stretched too thin,” Zearley said.
OPEA will join in talks with its OJA council to discuss possible solutions and generate a positive outcome.
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