2 Hurt in Scaffolding Collapse at Cleveland County Jail Site

It look like it's not a good day for Cleveland County Sheriff Joe Lester , First this Joe Lester Deputies Release Wrong Inmate and now this...


Authorities say two workers were injured when scaffolding collapsed at the site of the new Cleveland County jail in Norman.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said Tuesday firefighters found the men when they were called to the scene in north Norman about 12:30 p.m.

Bailey says the 15- to 18-foot high structure was set up inside the building, and had been holding concrete blocks when the blocks came down on the men.

Bailey says one of the workers was taken to Norman Regional Hospital after he complained of back pain. The other worker was transported with multiple contusions, abrasions and a possible leg fracture.

The men's names weren't immediately released.

Joe Lester Deputies Release Wrong Inmate

Cleveland County Sheriff Joe Lester said deputies are on the lookout for an inmate who escaped after posing as his cellmate.

Police are looking for Rowdy Offield after authorities said he changes his appearance to mimic the look of his cellmate who was scheduled to be released on Monday.

Detectives said they've learned that several inmates in the detention center conspired with Offield to help him trick jailers that he was the inamte whose bond had been posted.



Police said Offield was last seen around 8:30 p.m. Monday night walking North from the detention center.

“This is very serious and we are utilizing all of our resources to locate Offield”, said Lester Tuesday morning. “We are currently using the U.S. marshals office, the District Attorney’s Street Crimes Task Force and local law enforcement to assist us in this search. We have also began an in-house investigation to determine how to stop this from ever happening in the future.”

Deputies said Offield should be considered dangerous.

Offield was last seen wearing black and white tennis shoes, black pants, a black T-shirt and a white thermal shirt.

Offield was charged June 29 in Cleveland County with robbery with a weapon. Court documents indicate he is accused of showing a gun to rob a clerk at the Walmart in east Norman.

Offield had been transferred from a penitentiary in Fulton, Mo., to face the Cleveland County charge.

Anyone who may come in contact with Offield, or who may have information regarding his location is urged to call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 405-321-8600 and ask for a detective.

This drop in to my email box...

This drop in to my email...

One thing I have heard from people on the street concerning the jail vote, is fear of the threat of the fines and resulting ad valorem taxes to pay for them if we don't act now.

This is a tried and true tactic, but I did some research as a result of The Transcript 10-22 article about the jail inspector.

I asked several questions of the Department of Health today about the jail issue. They handle cases of overcrowding and non-compliance with the Cleveland County Detention Center.

If a jail is found to be out of compliance because of overcrowding, the jail receives an Administrative Compliance Order, which is a directive advising the jail of the non-compliance and giving them 30 days to come into compliance.

It is not uncommon for jails to receive such an order several times a year and to come into compliance in the applicable time frame such that the jail is not subject to any civil monetary penalty. If the jail does not come into compliance within the prescribed time frame, the jail can be fined up to $10,000 per day of noncompliance. Generally, the actual penalty imposed is $500/day.

With regards to CCDC specifically, he advised that for years the Department of Health had allowed CCDC to set their capacity. CCDC set their capacity based on the number of fixed beds in the facility (177).

When [this attorney] took over, the Department of Health went to the jail and measured the square footage of the cells and came up with a more favorable number. Since that time, the jail has not had any overcrowding issues. He said the Department of Health has no open cases against CCDC, and even if overcrowding became an issue, they would likely be flexible with the jail because there is a plan for a long-term solution in place.

For that reason, the Department of Health supports the project, even though overcrowding is not a current problem.

Interestingly, he also said he knows the County actually has the means to build a new jail now. The passage of the sales tax just makes it easier for them and shortens their timeframe somewhat.

There are of course many other issues involved with this vote but they are all blindsided with the scare tactic. There has been very little in the way of public forums and discussion on this 20 year proposal.

I spoke with Freddie Walden yesterday and he expressed that most of the NBA (Norman Business Association) was against the current proposal as well.

I am glad to listen to the will of the people but I think they need some information to decide. The people should make an informed decision without the proverbial gun to their head, there is time to come back with a better offering.

There is no emergency, which would preclude the Commissioners from coming back with another better vote proposal

The sales tax revenue estimates are too conservative but 5.1 million X 10 years still equals 51 million not the $39 million need and they still asked for 20 years Anthony said it would be closer to 7 million a year

The cost of the jail could be reduced and
we could go pay go

1) Stimulus proposals for counties and
municipalities building green to help pay for it

2) Millions saved by county doing the dirt work

3) Build what we need now and add on as we need more

4) Operational cost savings over current jail

5) They paid 8.5 million for the remodel
of the county courthouse from cash

6) 8% ad valorem tax base growth just last year

7) Liddell Lawsuit will add to ad valorem base
(Starts in 2009)

8) If needed, bonds are more specific in language

Tom Kovach