| The 3 members of the Oklahoma County Commission are refusing to allow the Federal Justice Dept. entry into the Oklahoma County Jail. The legal showdown stems from a 2009 legal settlement with the federal govt. over the conditions of the deadliest county jail in the nation. The building is continually overcrowded and several legal suits are pending in district court, on behalf of inmates who are dead or severely disabled as a result of the conditions and management. Nolan Clay reports in the Oklahoman; "Oklahoma County commissioners voted unanimously this month to deny the inspection request, despite the risk that refusal could lead to a costly federal lawsuit." "I feel like we've done everything that we could do within our power," said Brian Maughan, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. "I feel like we have satisfied most of their concerns and we should be given recognition for that." "Attorneys from the Justice Department's civil rights division had asked to tour the jail Nov. 6-10 with their expert consultants "to assess compliance" with a 2009 agreement to improve conditions.The Oklahoman reports in further detail." |  Commissioners Brian Maughan, Ray Vaughn, & Willa Johnson |
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Sooner Politics
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