County officials say jails are harder to insure as lawsuit costs mount

Steve Metzer

Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY — Costly civil litigation and court judgments in the tens of millions of dollars against county jails in Oklahoma have made it difficult for some to be insured.

Other problems plaguing jails stem from a lack of resources for dealing with inmates with drug problems or mental health issues. Jails often are overcrowded and understaffed, as well, which can aggravate risks of violence, including rape.

County commissioners and other officials who took part in an interim study of jails held at the Capitol on Wednesday said problems that are widespread across counties have resulted in spiraling costs for taxpayers.

Choctaw County Commissioner Jim Bob Sullivan said the county’s insurance costs have more than tripled over the pa