OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber says the U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to postpone a potential civil rights lawsuit over conditions at the Oklahoma County jail - delaying a potential federal takeover of the jail for at least two years.
Roy Williams told the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City that the department agreed to the delay after meeting with Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater earlier this month. Prater discussed how civic leaders are looking to solve the county's criminal justice issues without simply building a larger jail.
Among the possible solutions is diverting people with mental illnesses or drug or alcohol abuse problems to treatment programs.
A task force has been formed to study the issues and make recommendations.
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