Tulsa County Voters Approve Sales Tax To Improve Jails

Tulsa County voters approved a sales tax extension to build onto the county jail and build a new juvenile justice center.

Applause and cheers filled the space, celebrating what many call a win for the jail and the juvenile justice center.

Tulsa County voters to approve Proposition One, extending a .041 sales tax to build a new juvenile justice center. Proposition Two would extend a .026 sales tax expanding the jail.

County commissioner Karen Keith said both the jail and juvenile justice center are overcrowded, harming employees and inmates.

"They won't be working in the hallways and in former closets. They'll be working in a decent space. And we'll be helping all of our at-risk kids in a building that will function at the best it can possibly function for them," Keith said.