Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council

09/10/2026

National Recovery Month is a time to honor those in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Many of our partners throughout the justice system are here to support individuals facing such struggles, and we owe them gratitude for the good they have done helping justice involved people break negative cycles.

More support for mental health is on the way, as well, including the forthcoming Behavioral Care Center on site at the future jail. Through our Facilities Subcommittee, chaired by Sue Ann Arnall and Dan Staughan, CJAC is working to ensure these investments are coordinated into a unified strategy that strengthens collaboration among criminal justice and behavioral health partners.

🔗https://journalrecord.com/2026/09/09/melissa-walton-oklahoma-county-behavioral-health-investment/

09/04/2026

CJAC knows that small ongoing improvements create larger outcomes. A text reminder about a court date. A connection to treatment. Help finding a stable job. Small interventions can lead to better outcomes for individuals, families and the community.

We focus on solutions to address challenges before they become larger problems, because meaningful change often starts with a single step. Subscribe to the CJAC newsletter to learn about these steps as we take them.

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Join our quarterly email newsletter for early insighs into reform inititives, partnerships and collaberations, and jail population data.

08/27/2026

The numbers tell an encouraging story. After peaking at 1,751 people in August 2025, the Oklahoma County jail population steadily declined and remained relatively stable through the first half of 2026. By June, the population was approximately 7% lower than where it started the previous year. This is a meaningful reduction that reflects continued progress across the justice system.

08/18/2026

UPDATED MEETING DETAILS: CJAC’s monthly public meeting has been moved to the Oklahoma City Municipal Court (701 Couch Dr. 73102), 2nd Floor, Court Room 6.

CJAC Meeting attendees can use the dedicated employee parking lot, at 815 Robert S. Kerr. Attendees should expect to go through regular courthouse security screenings.

A full list of 2026 meeting dates is available on our website at okcountycjac.com/meetings.

08/12/2026

How do we balance protecting public safety with avoiding unnecessary pretrial detention? It's one of the hardest, and most important, questions in our justice system. One thing we know for sure, is the quality service providers are here. TEEM completed all phases of accreditation with the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies and in June and became one of seven pretrial programs nation-wide to receive official accreditation. We are proud of TEEM's commitment to ensuring pretrial services are delivered with accountability and the highest standards of care.

08/08/2026

By connecting individuals in crisis with appropriate care and support, Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) helps ensure behavioral health emergencies receive a health-focused response rather than a law enforcement response whenever possible. This approach reduces strain on emergency systems, improves outcomes for those in crisis and fosters a safer, more supportive community for everyone.

08/03/2026

Understanding the difference between recidivism and desistance is key to understanding the justice system’s long-term impact.

Recidivism refers to a person returning to criminal behavior after previous involvement with the justice system, while desistance is the gradual process of moving away from criminal behavior, or engaging in less serious criminal behavior, over time. Both are a crucial part of understanding the cycle of criminal justice interactions.

07/19/2026

Oklahoma County has implemented automated text reminders for court appearances, which helps reduce failure-to-appear rates by about 20%. This simple but effective tool improves communication with individuals navigating the court system, ensuring they have timely and accessible reminders of upcoming obligations.

Opt in for text reminders for yourself or your clients at OSCN.net and click “Court Dockets.” Search by name or use your case number and county. Select “Get Text Reminders” under the event section.

07/17/2026

07/13/2026

Our July meeting is cancelled. Visit okcountycjac.com/meetings to see a list of upcoming meetings.