Evaluation and treatment. At the Oklahoma County Jail, the average wait time for an inmate to be transferred to a state facility for mental health treatment is 480 days. Now, one of the Oklahoma County judges said if we had to wait any longer in this jail, they would find someone right away. This is not an environment for anyone with severe mental health needs. It's not a therapeutic environment. In early January, Koko reported that dozens of inmates were waiting at the Oklahoma County Jail. It can take hundreds or even thousands of days before the patient is transferred to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita. This center is a center that helps people deemed incompetent to stand trial. In October, Oklahoma County Jail inmate Zachary Whitaker was deemed incompetent to stand trial. A month later, Judge Susan Stalling ordered Whitaker transferred to a state facility for treatment. But as time passed, Whittaker remained inside the bar. This time, Judge Stollung declared that the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse were ignoring her orders. She then ordered the state to pay inmates $500 a day until they can be transferred, but Whitaker is not alone in waiting. It has been confirmed that Oklahoma County will enter Coco Friday. With 22 prisoners sitting behind bars waiting to be transferred, will they also seek fines from the state? In the case of people sitting in county jails waiting to be transferred to Vinita, the attorneys have to present something to the judge and hold the Department of Mental Health in contempt if they don't transfer their clients to Vinita as quickly as they did. You will need to ask the authorities. should. One legal expert told Coco that the state's Department of Mental Health is a possibility. On Friday, they said they respectfully disagree with the court's decision but are working to accommodate inmates in compliance with the order. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Mental Health don't have the resources to move all these people as quickly as possible, or so they say. All that matters is that there's a court order that says they have to be brought in and if they don't, they'll be held in contempt. The legal expert also told Coco that there are other inmates waiting to be transferred here at the Oklahoma County Jail who may also seek the same solution. He said it wouldn't be long. The first is that we need more funding and more beds available. now. The state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse told me today that it is considering various programs to help inmates deemed incompetent in the field.
Oklahoma County judge orders state to pay daily fine until inmate is transferred to mental health facility
The average wait time before being transferred for mental health treatment at the Oklahoma County Jail is 480 days.
Inmates in need of mental health support at the Oklahoma County Jail often wait months or even years just to receive evaluation and treatment. The average wait time before being transferred for mental health treatment at the Oklahoma County Jail is 480 days. In January, KOCO reported that dozens of inmates were awaiting transfer to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita, which helps inmates deemed incompetent stand trial. Learn more | Oklahoma inmates wait 1,026 days before being transferred to state facility for mental health treatment “This is not an environment for someone with severe mental health needs. This is not a therapeutic environment,” Oklahoma County says. said Brandi Garner, the prison's CEO. In October, prison inmate Zachary Whitaker was deemed incompetent to stand trial. A month later, Judge Susan Stallings ordered Whitaker to be transferred to a state facility for treatment. But as time went on, Whittaker remained behind bars. Now, Ms. Stallings has declared that the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is in contempt of her orders. She then ordered the state to pay the inmates $500 per day until they are transferred. But Whittaker isn't the only one waiting. Oklahoma County confirmed to KOCO on Friday that 22 inmates are in the jail awaiting transfer. But will these prisoners also seek fines from the state? “In the case of people sitting in county jails waiting to be transferred to Vinita, the attorneys have to present something to the judge and hold the Department of Mental Health in contempt if they don't transfer their clients to Vinita as soon as possible. We're going to have to ask the public. We should do that,” said legal expert Ed Blau. OSDMHSAS told KOCO that it “respectfully disagrees with the court's decision” but is working to accommodate inmates in accordance with the order. “At the end of the day, it doesn't matter that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Mental Health don't have the resources to transport all these people as quickly as possible. All that matters is that we have a court that says we have to bring them.” It's an order and if you don't, you could be held in contempt,” Blau said. Inmates awaiting transfer may seek the same solution, but Blau says it's not a long-term solution. He said the state will need money and hospital beds. OSDMHSAS told KOCO that it is considering a program to treat inmates deemed incompetent at the local level. TOP HEADLINES TIMELINE: Oklahoma to be hit by severe storms with risk of hail and tornadoes on Friday; Western Heights Elementary principal under investigation for drug performance submits resignation; Caddo County jailer charged with association with child murder suspect The little-known story of how roller coasters were invented Punxsutawney Phil predicts Groundhog Day: Will it be more winter or early spring?
Inmates in need of mental health support at the Oklahoma County Jail often wait months or even years just to receive evaluation and treatment.
The average wait time before being transferred for mental health treatment at the Oklahoma County Jail is 480 days. KOCO reported in January that dozens of inmates were awaiting transfer to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita, which assists inmates deemed incompetent to stand trial.
| Learn more | Oklahoma inmates wait 1,026 days before being transferred to state facility for mental health treatment
“This is not an environment for someone with severe mental health needs. This is not a therapeutic environment,” said Brandi Garner, CEO of the Oklahoma County Jail.
In October, prison inmate Zachary Whitaker was deemed incompetent to stand trial. A month later, Judge Susan Stallings ordered Whitaker to be transferred to a state facility for treatment.
But as time went on, Whittaker remained behind bars.
Now, Ms. Stallings has declared that the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is in contempt of her orders. She then ordered the state to pay the inmates $500 per day until they are transferred.
But Whittaker isn't the only one waiting.
Oklahoma County confirmed to KOCO on Friday that 22 inmates are in the jail awaiting transfer. But will these prisoners also seek fines from the state?
“In the case of people sitting in county jails waiting to be transferred to Vinita, the attorneys have to present something to the judge and hold the Department of Mental Health in contempt if they don't transfer their clients to Vinita as soon as possible. We're going to have to ask the public. We should do that,” said legal expert Ed Blau.
OSDMHSAS told KOCO that it “respectfully disagrees with the court's decision” but is working to accommodate inmates in accordance with the order.
“At the end of the day, it doesn't matter that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Mental Health don't have the resources to transport all these people as quickly as possible. All that matters is that we have a court that says we have to bring them.” It's an order and if you don't, you could be held in contempt,” Blau said.
Inmates awaiting transfer may seek the same solution, but Blau said it's not a long-term solution. He said the state will need money and hospital beds.
OSDMHSAS told KOCO that it is considering a program to treat inmates deemed incompetent at the local level.
top heading
