Commissioners from Washington County tour the county jail facility in Bartlesville.

 

The tour was part of an annual inspection of the facility and was led by Jail Administrator Lieutenant James Pendergraft. During the tour, he told commissioners that the county has moved to telephone and remote video visitation for inmates. Pendergraft says the in-person video visitation room has been repurposed to help those incarcerated to better themselves once they are released.

 

Among other changes made to the Washington County Jail include a remodeling of inmate cells to include new paint, fixtures and plumbing. The Jail has also changed regulations regarding body searches for inmates. Pendergraft says those whoo are booked into the jail now go through an x-ray body scanner instead.

 

The change is less invasive for both inmates and deputies. The jail also offers GED testing in addition to classes that allow inmates to get basic education requirements as well as courses on "Parenting in Jail" to help them become productive citizens upon release. There is also on-site staff from Grand Mental Health who assist with inmates who have mental health concerns, and an on-site medical facility for general health check-ups overseen by a medical doctor and nurse.

 

The building was constructed 15 years ago and combines the sheriff's office, county-wide dispatch and a 188-bed detention center. There are currently 113 inmates are in custody. The facility was designed to expand to 300 beds in the future.