Enid, OK — In response to ongoing issues with contraband and drug overdoses, the Oklahoma County Jail has rolled out new security measures aimed at curbing these problems. The changes come after a recent spike in drug-related incidents, including a death earlier this week.
Despite the unfortunate fatality, officials report a significant improvement in security and safety within the facility. Alan Smith, Chief of Intelligence and Investigations for the Oklahoma County Detention Center, shared that the new measures have had a noticeable impact.
“They’re doing a lot of work, let’s put it that way, inside the jail and outside of the jail,” Smith said, acknowledging the efforts from both staff and law enforcement agencies to tighten security protocols.
The new measures appear to be working, with a dramatic reduction in both contraband and drug overdoses. From January to February, incidents of contraband and overdoses fell by 85%. The use of Narcan, the medication commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses, also dropped sharply—from 52 incidents in January to just nine in February.
Much of this success, according to Smith, is attributed to the increased coordination between jail personnel and investigative units. “A lot of that’s due to the teamwork here at the jail, investigations has really ramped up,” he explained.
One of the most significant changes is the immediate strip searches and pat-downs that inmates now undergo upon entering the facility. Previously, inmates were allowed to intermingle in common areas, making it easier for contraband to be passed between them. Now, each inmate is thoroughly searched before being allowed into any shared spaces.
Additionally, officials have increased scrutiny in the jail’s mailroom, where drugs and other contraband can often be smuggled in. Surveillance and inmate call monitoring have also proven effective, with reports indicating that inmates have noticed the increased difficulty of smuggling goods into the facility.
“They said something along the lines of ‘I could get you stuff at DOC, but I don’t think I can get it at Oklahoma County anymore,’ and they went on to talk about how difficult it had become,” Smith said, citing a conversation he overheard through inmate monitoring.
But the changes aren’t just limited to inmates. A more proactive approach has been adopted for staff members as well. To prevent employees from smuggling contraband, K-9 detection teams from the Oklahoma Human Services Office of Inspector General have been deployed. These teams perform surprise searches of the parking lot, employee common areas, and even staff members themselves during their breaks. Smith emphasized that these searches are unannounced to ensure effectiveness.
“We don’t announce when they’re coming, and they’ll show up and search the entire parking lot, all the cars, sniff the employees while they’re in the break room,” Smith said.
The collaboration between various law enforcement agencies, increased vigilance within the jail, and the use of innovative security measures are showing promising results. While challenges remain, the improvements in security at the Oklahoma County Jail highlight the facility’s commitment to addressing the issues of contraband and drug abuse.
As these efforts continue, the jail hopes to maintain its focus on safety and security, striving for long-term success in reducing the smuggling of illegal substances and the associated dangers within the facility.
