Issues-Jail Issues-What about a Tent City?

During the campaign, there have been questions about establishing a “Tent City” as popularized by Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. Upon researching the requirements for a tent facility, I found the provisions in which a facility could be established. According to the Oklahoma Administrative Code (310:670-5-11.C.), new facilities and substantial remodeling of facilities after January 1, 1992 must comply as follows:

The Department must approve the establishment and design of this type of facility. The State Fire Marshal must approve it. A county may erect a tent jail which is temporary in nature, to meet the needs of the county for confining minimum-security prisoners. A tent jail shall not detain juveniles and shall maintain continuous, physical and architectural separation of male and female prisoners. A tent jail shall not be required to meet minimum requirements for a jail facility but shall provide at least the following:

(1) Accommodations.

(A) Basic daily living needs;

(B) Medical needs;

(C) Shelter from inclement weather;

(D) Freedom from obvious safety hazards;

(E) Fire extinguishers as recommended by the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal; and

(F) General comfort consistent with security and control of prisoners. 

(2) Security

(A) Tents erected inside a fenced area suitable for guarding and controlling prisoners; and

(B) Permit prisoners to have visitors consistent with security requirements. 

Therefore, as far as tent cities go, under Oklahoma regulations they can only be temporary and for minimum security inmates. Considering our varied weather conditions, I question how we could adequately shelter inmates from inclement weather. Also as with the dormitory idea, I question whether we have a sufficient number of minimum security inmates to alleviate our problem. As a result, I do not believe this is a viable alternative for housing of our inmates.