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| Tulsa Jail Could Face Fines Over Releases |
| By KOCO |
| Published: 06/11/2001 |
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The private operator of the Tulsa Jail would be fined for accidentally releasing an inmate under a recommendation by a Tulsa County Criminal Justice Authority member. 'I've reviewed the contract, and I believe we've been very tolerant, and it's time to be more forceful,' Bob Dick said recently. A man charged with lewd molestation on a child was released last week after a Corrections Corporation of America jail worker interpreted an order dismissing two counts against him as dropping all counts against Clifford Meano. He actually faced 11 other counts. Authorities arrested Meano a day after the release in Pawnee County. Officials were investigating if a release clerk and booking supervisor were justified in deciding to release Meano, CCA spokesman Marvin Branham said. CCA wants to work with the court clerk's office to strengthen the release system, Branham said. 'We don't have the ability to read information in their system, such as minutes from court hearings, and they don't have the ability to look at our screens, and really that would be helpful to both sides in eliminating miscommunications,' he said. Court Clerk Sally Howe Smith said that she and representatives of the county's criminal courts division plan to meet with CCA officials. But Smith said that she believes the paperwork on Meano's status was clear. 'I think they need to understand the court paperwork,' she said. There have been 10 mistaken releases since the jail opened in August 1999. Nashville-based CCA does not accept blame for many of those releases, and local authorities admit that the company could not be blamed for the release earlier this month of man police call the 'ponytail bandit.' Blame for four accidental releases and two escapes have been attributed to CCA, Tulsa County Contract Monitor Joe Masek said. |
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