TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols has asked the Tulsa Police Department to begin closing the City of Tulsa’s municipal lockup facility.
This closure, effective immediately, will result in inmates being held in the facility to be transferred to David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center. The mayor said the hope is to have the majority of everyone relocated by July 31.
“Over the last 24 hours, I know many Tulsans have had questions about our municipal lockup and the way our detention system operates. Those are important questions, and regardless of any one circumstance, it is my responsibility to ensure our public safety system meets the high standards our community expects,” said Mayor Nichols in a statement. “Given this, I am taking the following actions: Today, I am directing the Tulsa Police Department to begin the process of closing our municipal lockup facility. Starting immediately, we will begin transitioning those currently in the facility to the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, with the goal of having the vast majority of our lockup population relocated by July 31.”
The mayor also said he has directed the city’s Public Safety Commissioner to look at the city’s policies regarding detention and prisoner transport.
“I’ve also directed our Public Safety Commissioner to take a look at our policies and procedures surrounding detention and prisoner transport to ensure they continue to provide clear guidance, reinforce accountability, and reflect the professionalism that Tulsans expect from their public safety system,” said Nichols.
Read the full statement from Mayor Monroe Nichols here.
The city said more information about the municipal lockup facility will be shared in the following week.
