NORMAN (KOKH) - Officials celebrated the completion of Phase I of a multi-million-dollar upgrade of the Alan J. Couch Juvenile Detention Center with a ribbon cutting in Norman on Wednesday.
Funded by public safety sales tax money approved by county voters, Phase I of the project adds two mental health safe rooms, two ADA compliant rooms, a new outdoor recreation area and other detention space improvements to enhance safety for detainees and staff.
“This ribbon cutting marks a milestone in our planned upgrades for Couch Juvenile Detention Center,” said Cleveland County Commissioner Rod Cleveland. “These improvements to enhance juvenile justice were done with the blessing and support of the people of Cleveland County who approved the renewal of the public safety sales tax with overwhelming support in November 2019.”
This is the first upgrade of the 26-bed facility since it was built in 1991.
“I want to thank our taxpayers for supporting these improvements which will increase safety for the juveniles and staff at this facility,” said Cleveland County Commissioner Rusty Grissom. “We’re excited about completing this first phase, and we look forward to Phase II which will increase space for education and behavioral health counseling to help get these young people back on track.”
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