Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC)

You can support your loved ones at OCDC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 405-297-1910.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The OCDC is a detention center located at 201 N Shartel Ave Oklahoma City, OK which is operated locally by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Oklahoma County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Oklahoma City Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Oklahoma here.

The Oklahoma County Detention Center is the largest bureau in the agency which provides custody, welfare, services and programs for up to 2,700 inmates every day. The 268,000-sq-ft facility with a rated capacity for 2,890 inmates is the largest detention facility in the state. The detention center merged with the Oklahoma City Jail back in 1991 for more efficient operation.

Classification - Inmate Housing Assignment Method - Classification officers perform an assessment of and create a classification file for each inmate. This assessment takes into account inmate behavior and any special needs that the inmate might have. Based on these and other factors, a determination is made regarding the inmate's housing assignment in one of the twenty-eight housing units; security level, and if eligible, job or program assignments. Classification of inmates was fully implemented in 2000 and has resulted in the more effective use of staffing, lowered inmate incidents, and provided more effective use of cell space. New detainees are regularly admitted to the jail, with some being released on bail or placed under pretrial services caseloads. Others await their court appearances at the facility, receiving necessary accommodations such as bedding and meals. View all arrest records here.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount. Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

Unit Management Search & Contraband Control Unit - A unit is a self-contained inmate living area that includes cells, a room, exercise and program areas, and office space for unit staff. Each unit has four pods. A unit manager is responsible for each unit on a 24-hour basis. Under their supervision, detention officers provide for inmate security, services, and programs. Each of the housing units is staffed by a unit team made up of employees who are permanently assigned to work in each unit. The unit staff consists of the unit manager, unit supervisor, and detention officers, who maintain security supervision, provide services, and maintain sanitation, and a clerical employee.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.