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Proposed by Rep. Josh Cantrell, House Bill 3758 seeks to increase restrictions on how close detainment facilities can be to schools. The bill states that detainment facilities built after November 2024 cannot be within 2,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools. Additionally, it says that new jails can’t be within 2,500 feet of a juvenile facility.
This comes after a heavy push to keep the Oklahoma County jail downtown instead of moving it to Oklahoma’s east side or further east to Del City.
City, County, and State leaders present at last month’s town hall were on the same page, saying the jail needs to remain downtown. The location is near resources for those in the justice system and easily reachable by public transport.
If the jail were be to removed from downtown the county would have to increase its annual budget to afford transportation costs to and from the courthouse.
Response from Representative
Rep. Cantrell released the following statement on his bill:
“House Bill 3758 prioritizes the safety of our children and proactively mitigates potential risks to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students across Oklahoma. Creating a buffer zone between new correctional facilities and schools can reduce the likelihood of recently released individuals walking around our children’s schools and playgrounds. It can also significantly lessen the chance of lockdowns interrupting classes when someone escapes from jail.”
He continued, “Opponents are reciting talking points that intentionally misrepresent the bill’s effect. All Oklahomans should call for quick passage of House Bill 3758 to protect our children from potentially dangerous situations. My office door is open for anybody interested in discussing this legislation as we work together to ensure the safety and well-being of all Oklahomans.”
The proposed House Bill has successfully passed out of the House County and Municipal Government Committee. Its next stop is the House floor.
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No One Wants a Jail in Their Backyard
NIMBYism or “Not in My Backyard” is a phenomenon that exists when it comes to the placement of concerning facilities. Often, it’s used to describe the power more affluent areas possess when it comes to zoning decisions.
For instance, Nichols Hills in north-central Oklahoma City doesn’t have any oil processing facilities despite being home to Chesapeake headquarters. Money and powerful connections can ensure safety from unwanted land uses like facilities that diminish property values.
The school closest to the current jail site is John Rex Elementary, a charter school founded in 2014. Charter schools are publicly funded but privately owned. Typically free of tuition, most charters operate through a lottery system that aspiring families can participate in to gain entry.
The second closest school is Emerson North Alternative School, a high school in the Oklahoma City Public School System. Originally built in 1895, Emerson was one of the first schools in OKC.
Rebuilding the jail in or near its current location would put it within 2,000 feet of John Rex or Emerson School.
There are concerns among residents that having a jail in the predominantly Black area of town will contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. This national trend is when historically disadvantaged youth are funneled from the education system into the criminal legal system.
A report from the Crime and Justice Institute which conducts an annual analysis of the jail found that Black detainees make up the majority of the jail’s population. Moving the jail to the east side of town could further exacerbate disparities in jail demographics.
Who Decides
State lawmakers can pass bills that alter zoning but placement of the jail is up to the County Board of Commissioners. The county has three commissioners, and to secure a majority vote only two commissioners have to agree.
Leaders in the City Council and House of Representatives have weighed in with their opinions. Last month some of those leaders gathered to participate in a public town hall at the Metro Technology Center. Participants agreed that measures should ensure the jail remains in downtown Oklahoma City.
A property owner with land just north of the current jail site has said on social media he would be willing to sell it to the county.
If you’re in Oklahoma County and want to share jail concerns, find your commissioner on this map. If you live elsewhere in Oklahoma and would like to let your representative know where you stand on the proposed House Bill you can use this link to find your representative.