Findings of Cleveland County jail death investigation withheld

A preliminary report from a months-long, taxpayer-funded investigation into inmate deaths at the Cleveland County Detention Center (CCDC) has been issued, but officials are keeping the findings under wraps.

Six inmates have died since the beginning of 2024, one this year.

In response to the recent rise in jail deaths, Cleveland County commissioners hired SIMCO to conduct a root cause analysis and recommend improvements. Commissioners confirmed Monday that SIMCO Correctional Consulting, LLC submitted a preliminary report to legal counsel for the Board of County Commissioners, but the public won’t see it—at least not yet.

Officials claim the findings are protected by attorney-client privilege and exempt from Oklahoma’s open records laws.

The decision comes a month after a surprise inspection by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), which found numerous deficiencies at the facility—including filthy cells and inmates sleeping on the floor without beds.

Surprise Health Inspection

The recent health inspection reveals more about the facility's conditions and raises questions about what might be included in the confidential SIMCO report.

During their surprise inspection on Feb. 4, state investigators reported:

1. Filthy cells and showers
2. Inmates going weeks without clean clothes or hygiene products
3. Inmates sleeping on the floor because there weren’t enough beds
4. Walls, ceilings, and floors that don’t meet Oklahoma Fire Code

A failure to report inmate injury to the OSDH was also flagged in the inspection report.

Commissioners Response

Cleveland County commissioners hired SIMCO last year to conduct a root cause analysis of inmate deaths and recommend improvements for the facility.

To date, the county has paid nearly $47,000 for the investigation.

1. $18,462.50 paid on Nov. 2024
2. $28,335.78 paid on Feb. 2025

The commissioners expressed frustration over the jail’s continued issues Monday, placing responsibility on Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason. They argue that conditions have not improved even with record-high funding—including more than $1.1 million in additional jail repairs last year.

“It is unacceptable that despite record-high funding to the sheriff’s office, the volume of in-custody deaths and Oklahoma State Health Department deficiencies continue to increase under Sheriff Chris Amason,” the commissioners said in a statement. They warned that other counties have faced multi-million-dollar lawsuits over similar jail conditions. “The taxpayers of Cleveland County beg the sheriff to take his legal responsibility seriously.”

The sheriff did not immediately respond to the commissioners’ recent claims. It is unknown if the sheriff’s office received a copy of SIMCO’s preliminary report.

What Comes Next?

The commissioners are expected to review SIMCO’s preliminary findings in a closed-door meeting with outside legal counsel on Monday.

MORE COVERAGE:

Inmate Death: Autopsy Confirms Makeshift Noose Used Despite Scrutiny of Cleveland County Jail

Cleveland County Inmate Death Raising More Questions About Jail Safety & Drugs

Cleveland County Sheriff Faces New Financial Troubles Amid Budget, Jail Safety Scrutiny