TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa County Sheriff and District Attorney have voiced their support for a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMH). The lawsuit was filed on behalf of suspects who have been waiting for months in jail for mental health treatment.
Sheriff Victor Regalado and District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler expressed that this issue has persisted for years, unfairly affecting inmates, some of whom haven’t been charged, law enforcement, and taxpayers.
“What got us here?” Kunzweiler asked. “It took Tulsa County citizens suing a state agency to compel it to fulfill its responsibilities.”
Both officials highlighted ongoing issues with ODMH throughout their careers, even referring to the Tulsa County Jail as the state’s largest mental health facility.
“For nearly two decades, ODMH has avoided its responsibilities,” Regalado stated.
A 2023 lawsuit claims ODMH has failed to provide promised mental health care for suspects deemed unfit for trial due to mental illness. In Oklahoma, such suspects are supposed to be taken to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita for treatment until they are competent to stand trial. However, Kunzweiler and Regalado noted that this process has not been followed, leaving mentally ill individuals waiting in jail without being charged.
“Law enforcement can no longer shoulder the responsibility of addressing Oklahoma’s mental health crisis,” Regalado said. “We need long-term treatment facilities, proper funding for mental health treatment, and a substantial increase in public mental health beds.”
This week, ODMH and the parties suing them reached an agreement, known as a consent decree, which outlines more than 100 changes.
“This is a step in the right direction, but it is not a cure-all,” Regalado commented.
“The proposed consent decree, which ODMH played a pivotal role in, is not surprising to the department. They have long known what needed to be done, what they failed to do, and what should be done now,” Kunzweiler added. “It’s clear they need legal oversight to enforce their responsibilities, which is unfortunate.”
FOX23 reached out to ODMH following the news conference on Thursday but has not received a response. It is known, however, that ODMH contributed to drafting the agreement.
The agreement now awaits approval from a federal judge and the state legislature. It does not include any payouts for those who filed the lawsuit.
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