By a 2-1 vote, Oklahoma County Commissioners called for a county-wide election to approve a four-tenths of one percent (0.40%) sales tax, for 25 years, to operate, maintain, construct, renovate, finance, equip and pay staff of Oklahoma County detention, diversion and mental health facilities and programs. The election date is November 3, 2026.

Oklahoma County Commissioners selected Tulsa-based CREOKS Health Services to operate the Behavioral Care Center that is under construction at the site of the new Oklahoma County Detention Center. The Behavioral Care Center will conduct medical and psychological assessment screening to identify individuals who may qualify for treatment at the Behavioral Care Center rather than jail incarceration.

Without full funding available, Oklahoma County Commissioners approved selling $215 million in remaining bonds to begin a phased build-out of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. The focus of the approved construction is an intake center for the current downtown jail and the adjacent Behavioral Care Center now under construction. A new kitchen and laundry will also be part of the detention center project.

Oklahoma County officials break ground on a new Behavioral Care Center that will be a key component of the Oklahoma Country Detention Center at 1901 E. Grand Blvd. The separate facility will be funded by nearly $40 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.

By a 2-1 vote, Oklahoma County Commissioners called for a county-wide election to approve a four-tenths of one percent (0.40%) sales tax, for 25 years, to operate, maintain, construct, renovate, finance, equip and pay staff of Oklahoma County detention, diversion and mental health facilities and programs. The election date is November 3, 2026.

Oklahoma County Commissioners approve Flintco as construction contractor for the project. Headquartered in Tulsa, with offices in Oklahoma City, Flintco provides innovative construction solutions across the United States.

HOK – a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm – is selected to design the new Oklahoma County Detention Center. HOK, a national leader in designing correctional facilities, teams with Rees of Oklahoma City on the project.

Oklahoma County voters approve a $260 million bond package, paving the way for the building of a new jail facility. 

The Criminal Justice Advisory Council (Clay Bennett, Tony Tyler, Sue Ann Arnall, Kevin Calvey, Craig Freeman, David Prater, Rick Warren and others) recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the construction of a new detention center at an estimated cost of $297 million, although the location and specific design had yet to be determined.