![\"Audio](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Audio-Stories-400-x-200-px.png?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\n\t\tAudio Stories: December 29, 2025<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\nIn May, the state Legislature approved the transfer of $12.7 million into the County Community Investment Fund, set up by the passage of State Question 781 to help cover the costs of treatment in all 77 counties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even with the additional money, jails are ill-equipped to provide treatment, said Judge Ken Stoner, who presides over Oklahoma County drug court cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado refused to sign an agreement with the state mental health department, which proposed leaving people who were found incompetent to stand trial in jail while they receive treatment. Regalado insisted people whose illness is that severe should be treated in a hospital, not an ill-equipped jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mental health department instead signed an agreement with a Tulsa nonprofit to offer the services inside the jail without Regalado’s knowledge. Last month, the Tulsa District Attorney sent a cease and desist letter to the nonprofit after Regalado found out about the unapproved services being provided in his jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such cases typically are treated at the state\u2019s 216-bed Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita, which has been burdened for years by a waiting list. And a dozen rural hospitals, including their psychological treatment services, have closed since 2007, according to state data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 70% of female offenders and 48% of male offenders in Oklahoma prisons were diagnosed with a mental illness, according to 2015 state report<\/a>. To help resolve the issue, voters approved State Question 781 to increase mental health and drug addiction treatments in jails in 2016. The law requires savings from State Question 780, which reduced the number of people in prisons by lowering certain drug and property crimes to misdemeanors, to go into a mental health fund available to every county.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocal justice systems can use the money to add staff or provide employment training and assistance. They can bolster existing mental health and addiction diversion programs, such as Smart on Crime<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe know that when we invest in mental health or substance use or job training, that it decreases crime,\u201d said David Gateley, a criminal justice analyst at Oklahoma Policy Institute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Felony filings decreased by 30% the first year after State Question 780 took effect, according to an Oklahoma Policy Institute analysis<\/a> of court records. Gateley pointed to estimates provided by a group that includes the state\u2019s Legislative Office for Fiscal Transparency, which show savings could reach $20 million by next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlthough rural counties will find ways to use the extra money, they may never be able to catch up to urban areas, which have better proximity to nonprofits, Gateley said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Large jails and prisons can rely on outside organizations such as Diversion Hub<\/a> and The Education and Employment Ministry<\/a> to provide treatment and transportation services to incarcerated individuals, but many of those nonprofits only operate in the metro area. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Cleveland County, commissioners increased the jail\u2019s budget this year to pay for a licensed counselor to work at the detention center five days per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But in many cases, the only mental health resource for rural jails is through a partnership with Oklahoma City-based Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, which has 13 state offices. Yet, limited staff and beds can present barriers to access. Ariel Joseph, a spokesperson at Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, said the providers find ways to cater to rural areas and limit their barriers, such as meeting virtually with clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But nonprofits can go the extra mile by developing individualized health and career plans for their metro-area clients, Joseph said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local justice systems can use the money to add staff or provide employment training and assistance. They can bolster existing mental health and addiction diversion programs, such as Smart on Crime<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe know that when we invest in mental health or substance use or job training, that it decreases crime,\u201d said David Gateley, a criminal justice analyst at Oklahoma Policy Institute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Felony filings decreased by 30% the first year after State Question 780 took effect, according to an Oklahoma Policy Institute analysis<\/a> of court records. Gateley pointed to estimates provided by a group that includes the state\u2019s Legislative Office for Fiscal Transparency, which show savings could reach $20 million by next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although rural counties will find ways to use the extra money, they may never be able to catch up to urban areas, which have better proximity to nonprofits, Gateley said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Large jails and prisons can rely on outside organizations such as Diversion Hub<\/a> and The Education and Employment Ministry<\/a> to provide treatment and transportation services to incarcerated individuals, but many of those nonprofits only operate in the metro area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Cleveland County, commissioners increased the jail\u2019s budget this year to pay for a licensed counselor to work at the detention center five days per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But in many cases, the only mental health resource for rural jails is through a partnership with Oklahoma City-based Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, which has 13 state offices. Yet, limited staff and beds can present barriers to access. Ariel Joseph, a spokesperson at Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, said the providers find ways to cater to rural areas and limit their barriers, such as meeting virtually with clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But nonprofits can go the extra mile by developing individualized health and career plans for their metro-area clients, Joseph said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n