Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs Requests $11.8M Budget Increase

Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs Budget Request Targets Troubled Facility

The Office of Juvenile Affairs budget request is drawing renewed attention to long-standing challenges within Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system, particularly at the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Tecumseh.

The State Board of Juvenile Affairs is asking lawmakers for an $11.8 million increase in funding for the next fiscal year. If approved, total state appropriations for the agency would rise to $119.3 million, according to agency officials.

Where the Additional Juvenile Affairs Funding Would Go

Agency leaders say the requested increase is largely focused on stabilizing operations at the Tecumseh facility, which has faced repeated scrutiny over staffing shortages, safety concerns, and resident behavior.

The funding request includes:

• Higher salaries to recruit and retain detention officers and support staff

• Expansion of group home placements to reduce overcrowding

• Increased funding for family therapy and behavioral treatment services

Officials say these investments are aimed at reducing violence inside facilities while improving outcomes for youth in state custody.

Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center Remains a Key Concern

The Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center has been the subject of multiple legislative hearings, audits, and public safety concerns in recent years. Lawmakers have questioned whether the current model adequately separates violent offenders from lower-risk youth and whether staff have the training and resources needed to manage increasingly complex cases.

Agency leaders acknowledge the challenges and say the budget request reflects a shift toward treatment-focused solutions rather than containment alone.

Lawmakers Weigh Costs Against Public Safety

While some legislators have expressed concern about rising costs, supporters argue that underfunding juvenile services leads to higher long-term expenses in incarceration, law enforcement, and social services.

The budget request will be considered during the upcoming legislative session as lawmakers finalize state spending priorities for the next fiscal year.

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