WASHINGTON COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER

BARTLESVILLE, OK

The Oklahoma Department of Health, through its State Jail Inspector, found serious deficiencies in the existing Washington County jail.

In response to the challenge, County Commissioners appointed a study group to explore options and to interview design firms. County voters troubled by sticker shock and complicated financing plans, defeat the plans for the second time at the ballot box. County Commissioners threw out the plans and started fresh with a new team, led by AIP.

The new plans are creative and daring. The same size jail features a construction budget which is five to eight million dollars cheaper than the original proposal. The revised financing plan is simple and straightforward. County voters approve the new plans by a margin of 2-1, garnering 68% of the county vote. The new 188 bed facility was designed to expand to 300 in the future.