Claremore Daily Progress

Top Stories

Related Photos

  • PROGRESS PHOTO/Krystal J. Carman

    images_sizedimage_168140048

  • PROGRESS PHOTO/Krystal J. Carman

    images_sizedimage_168140158

  • PROGRESS PHOTO/Krystal J. Carman

    images_sizedimage_168140421
June 17, 2009

NO VACANCY

Sheriff dealing with overcrowded jail

By Krystal J. Carman

June 17, 2009 — The Rogers County Jail is maxed out with more than 200 inmates per day and barely room to house them all.

Thanks to the newly approved jail budget, which includes a boost of $100,000 taken from an existing certificate of deposit, Sheriff Scott Walton can now buy additional bunks for inmates, as well as make improvements to the 9-year-old facility.

“The exterior and interior of the building are in need of repair,” he told the Rogers County Criminal Justice Authority Board recently. “With this additional money, we can purchase six bunks, which will equal 18 new beds. We can also tend to the maintenance issues in the building.”

When speaking about the budget needs, Walton told the board the jail needs two additional tower guards and another correctional officer to meet the needs of the size of the inmate population. Since shortly before Memorial Day, the jail population has hovered at 200 or above, peaking at 228 inmates.

Also a concern when speaking of the $2.6 million budget were updates and improvements inside the jail.

Walton reported an industrial-type dryer used for laundry often sets off the smoke alarm and needs to be replaced.

Assistant Jail Administrator Don Coppinger said the jail was originally equipped to accommodate two washers and two dryers, but only one of each is currently installed.

“We have the space for and could use another washer and dryer, but this one needs replaced,” he said.

Nearly a decade old, the jail building itself is beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

Plumbing concerns have gotten Walton’s attention and need to be upgraded. In addition, new appliances in the kitchen are needed and additional medical equipment is a necessity.

All of the maintenance upgrades and improvements will be funded from $100,000 Walton was allowed to withdraw from an existing CD. According to Walton, there is $233,000 remaining in the CD, which the board stated he could withdraw if necessary.

“Sheriff, if you need something, don’t just leave yourself hanging out there,” said Commissioner Mike Helm. “That’s your money and if you need it, we can amend the budget.”

With the new additions and improvements to the jail, including new employees, Walton said 225 inmates could be adequately housed inside the jail. The average cost to house inmates is $10,585.81 per month.

Text Only
Top Stories
  • NTC-Roy-Clark-Cweb.jpg NTC’s opens Roy Clark Music School

    Claremore is no stranger to country music talent.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • RCCJA to hire attorney

    Members of the Rogers County Criminal Justice Authority Thursday approved the hiring of a Tulsa attorney to serve as legal council for the trust, charged with supervising sales tax dollars set aside for the jail.

    February 3, 2012

  • bluestarr-wreck2-3-12web.jpg Blue Starr crash sends one to hospital

    The morning commute proved dangerous for a driver in Claremore this morning, as her Dodge Neon was struck by a semi truck at the intersection of Blue Starr Drive and SH66 just after 7 a.m.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Flood3web.jpg City proposes storm water fee

    City officials presented the city council with a proposed storm water fee this week to fund future projects to deal with flooding issues.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • ShakeOut_CUS_DontFreakweb.jpg Are You Ready to ShakeOut?

    With more the 40 million people living and working in the central U.S., a major earthquake could cause unprecedented devastation. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. With earthquakes an inevitable part of this region's future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Punxsyphil.jpg VIDEO: Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction

    More than 18,000 people descended on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day celebration.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Fallin: Okla. income tax plan to reduce brackets

     Gov. Mary Fallin says her plan to reduce Oklahoma's income tax will reduce the number of tax brackets from seven to three and will include revenue growth criteria that will trigger future tax cuts.

    February 2, 2012

  • Speaker Steele supports Open Records for legislature

    Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele says he supports an initiative to require the Oklahoma Legislature to be subject to the requirements of the state's Open Records and Open Meetings Act.

    February 2, 2012

  • Groundhog sees shadow, predicts 6 more weeks of winter

    Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lair to “see” his shadow on Thursday, in the process predicting six more weeks of winter.

    February 2, 2012

  • American_Airlines.jpg American Airlines: Tulsa jobs to be slashed by 2,100

    American Airlines is expected to slash about 2,100 jobs at its maintenance facility in Tulsa under a bankruptcy reorganization plan released by its parent company, a spokesman for the airline said Wednesday.

    February 1, 2012 1 Photo