CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT

Campaign announced to support county jail initiative

 

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber announced today the formation of the Fix The Jail campaign to encourage passage of a county bond issue to build a new county jail and detention center. 

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The resolution calls for a $260 million bond issue to fund the construction. These bonds would take the place of retiring bonds and could be sold without increasing the rate of property taxes for residents.

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Clay Bennett, Chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is leading the effort. “Our community has worked together to make great strides in reducing incarceration in our county jail, and while there is more work to do, none of that work will fix the inherent problems with our current facility. We cannot put this decision off any longer,” he said. 

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The business community has been engaged in criminal justice reform since 2016. “We have created such a vibrant city,” Bennett continued “But we aren’t finished. This work will improve our public safety, but also provide for mental health treatment, addiction and recovery, job training and other programs that divert people from incarceration to life as a productive member of our community.” 

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The committee, Fix Our Jail 2022, is chaired by Bennett. Tony Tyler, Tyler Media, is the campaign’s Treasurer.

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The campaign is building a coalition of organizations to support the effort. “We are reaching out across the county to develop support for this initiative,” said Tyler. “This vote is important for every community of our county, from Edmond to Bethany, from Midwest City to Harrah. We look forward to working with communities countywide to ensure passage.”

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More information about the campaign can be found at www.FixTheJail.com.