OPEA

At a press conference held November 23, 2010 Gene Christian, Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) briefed attendees on the future of the L.E. Rader Center. In addition to his announcement of the awarding of a contract to the Ada Youth Academy Authority, Director Christian again stated the intent of OJA is to close the L.E. Rader Center. Further he stated the contract awarded will provide for the construction of 56 maximum secure beds to be located at the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Tecumseh which will replace beds lost in the eventual closing of the L.E. Rader Center.

When asked the timeframe expected for the closing Director Christian could not provide an exact date due to the constraints of a consent decree that is currently in place with the L.E. Rader Center. According to Director Christian the decree will run through September of 2011 and decisions would be made in the Spring of 2011 as to whether the consent decree will be extended.

Although Director Christian has made it clear the 56 maximum secure beds are intended to replace beds lost in the closing of the L.E. Rader Center he did not insinuate the agency would have to wait until completion of this construction to close the Rader Center. He instead stated the decision would come as a result of looking at the needs of the agency once a decision is made on the consent decree. He further stated at this time he currently has sufficient secure beds to move all the Rader population to two other secure facilities which are currently operating.

OPEA has requested information from OJA as to why they no longer have a need for the maximum secure beds at the L.E. Rader center. OPEA is also requesting information as to Director Christian’s statement in regard to the bed ratio at COJC not increasing. He stated the 56 maximum secure beds will replace medium secure beds that will no longer be needed since youth will be relocated to the non-secure academy to be built in Ada. OPEA has requested information whether they are currently evaluating youth to be relocated and what procedures will be used in these evaluations. OPEA will continue to keep members informed as more information is provided on this issue.