Bedbugs Partly Responsible for Oklahoma City Jail Hostage-Taking, Says Rep. Jason Lowe

An inmate was gunned down by police after taking a correctional officer hostage on Saturday afternoon at the Oklahoma County Jail – and state representative Jason Lowe said bed bug frustrations and other unsanitary conditions were among the factors perpetuating a cycle of violence in downtown Oklahoma City. ease, according to KOCO. The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on the 10th floor of the closed door, when an anonymous commander was overpowered by an inmate and taken hostage, the outlet reported. Oklahoma City police responded to the scene and shot and killed the inmate.

State Representative Jason Lowe told KOCO the incident was inevitable and will likely happen again unless significant changes are made. “Every year the situation gets worse. Every year. I mean, there are bed bugs, the conditions are horrible, they have no heat, there are about three people per cell, ”Lowe said. “The conditions at the prison are just appalling. We need a new prison. We have to do this because people are going to die, situations like this where detention officers are being held hostage … it is inappropriate. It is not necessary. “