Oklahoma County Jail Trust Elects New Leadership, Gets New Trustee

The Oklahoma County Jail Trust has new leadership and a new trustee. This was all decided Monday in two separate meetings between the county commissioners and the jail trust.

The new trustee, Joe Allbaugh, officially took the open seat left when Tricia Everest resigned.

Hours after being officially named a trustee he was able to cast his vote for new leadership.

“My no vote was not against Mr. Allbaugh, personally I've never met him, but I did think we should have spent some more time looking at candidates," said Commissioner Carrie Blumert.

Blumert was the one no vote. She didn’t want any rush and had other candidates she was interested in.

“We couldn’t pick a more qualified person," said Commissioner Kevin Calvey.

Calvey told News 9 Allbaugh, most recently the former state DOC director, will bring more experience than any other trustee.

"Any of the commissioners could have brought forth their own appointment for this," Calvey said. "I chose to act very quickly and contact Mr. Allbaugh and see if he was willing and he is."

Commissioner Brian Maughan said if there is a future opening, he would be more than willing to sit down with the candidates Commissioner Blumert had been talking to.

Maughan said he had also spoke to Allbaugh about the position.

When News 9 asked Allbaugh why he wanted to join the trust, he said he wanted to make a difference.

“I'm anxious to put my shoulder to the wheel," Allbaugh said. "A lot of problems, it didn't happen overnight and it's not going to change overnight...”

Hours after being officially voted in, Allbaugh joined the other trustees at their meeting.

During that meeting the former Vice Chair Jim Couch was named the new chair, and Ben Brown was named the new vice chair.

"I feel like I already have an advantage with so many relationships, that will help speed my learning curve," said Allbaugh.

At the meeting Jail Administrator Greg Williams also gave an update on the jail. Williams said they have greatly increased staffing, are working with their consultant and continuing improvements.