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Judge Tells Sheriff To Open A Jail With Near-Lethal Conditions, She Hands In This Resignation Letter Instead
In a world where even the word ‘politics’ sounds dirty, an act of someone prioritizing their moral values over instant personal gain deserves respect. And that’s what we’re going to do. Pay our respects. Nowata County’s sheriff and undersheriff, as well as half of their deputies have resigned over pressure to reopen a hazardous jail.
Image credits: newson6
On Monday, Sheriff Terry Barnett publicly announced the resignations during a news conference. Detailing multiple unresolved problems at the lockup, she expressed her concerns over carbon monoxide leaks and exposed electrical wires at the facility.
According to Barnett and Undersheriff Mark Kirschner, they quit because Nowata County Associate District Judge Carl Gibson pressured them to reopen the jail nearly three weeks after inmates were evacuated from it. After the safety issues emerged Feb. 28, the county’s 14 detainees were transferred to the Washington County jail in Bartlesville, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Tulsa.
“I believe in doing the right thing, and I am not going to stand down from doing the right thing,” Barnett said. “I will not sweep these things under the carpet.” Barnett was elected sheriff in November 2018 after her predecessor, Kenny Freeman, was arrested on embezzlement charges.
Barnett claimed that Gibson offered to increase her salary to $75,000 if the inmates were returned to county jail despite the issues. “I do feel like he tried to bribe me last Thursday,” she told San Francisco Chronicle, adding that her salary as an elected official is set by law. “I looked straight at the judge and asked him, ‘Are you compromising my integrity?’ The judge never responded. I also stated directly to him I feel that Nowata County is an extremely corrupt county.”
Image credits: kjrh
Kirschner also spoke about Gibson’s intimidation techniques. “I came in here, was ordered up here by the judge, and he basically said if I don’t get prisoners back over here, I would be in contempt and go to jail, and this job is not worth me going to jail. I have a family to take care of,” he said.
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The online community had a lot to say about the situation
What do you think ?
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
This is someone who takes her office seriously. She's attempting to curb crime, not encourage it.
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Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago
The point being that dogs have higher moral standards than a lot of judges and politicians.
Load More Replies...
Max L. 5 years ago
Fine. The judge may be facing jail ? I have an idea of an available location not to mix him with ordinary inmates.
Michèle Gyselinck 5 years ago
GREAT idea. Maybe he'd stop giving ridiculous orders if he had to live in those conditions, although if he has to go to prison for corruption he won't be able to give anymore stupid orders.
Load More Replies...
Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
What a brave and honorable lady. Sadly in the world we live in,people in elected positions often times only have their own personal interests at heart. Its a rarity to see someone truly serving the people, its a real shame she was forced to resign.
Nikki D 5 years ago
Hopefully the public outcry will help fix this problem, although since I am not hearing anything about firing the judge, I am not too optimistic.
Load More Replies...
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I think the judge needs to spend a week at the facilities that he thinks are safe for prisoners. Maybe he can get his a$$ shocked in the shower.
Kevin Camp 5 years ago
I live iun Tulsa, about 40 miles south of Nowata. This kind of behvior has been going in Oklahoma since statehood. Officials carving out little fiefdoms with power over the residents. Some are so powerful even the local press are afraid to speak out against them or spin it into favorable news for the powerful. Nowata County is a tiny microcosm of what goes on in th rest of the world. If you don;t think the wealthy and pwerful do not do anything they please to the people they have power over, then you are a fool.
Agnes Jekyll 5 years ago
I've heard such good things about Oklahoma--in that, they have been the most democratic state in the union....I hope that's still true
Load More Replies...
The durpy dolphin 5 years ago
There are MANY charges this judge could go under. Bribery of law oficials, attemted man slaughter, and even breaking the constitution. I could go on and on, but we dont want this to be that long.
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
I'd say that, since he had prior knowledge of the conditions, it would be attempted murder, not manslaughter.
Load More Replies...
Lilith Hollis 5 years ago
Good for her doing the right thing I live in Scotland and I worked in the police station as a independent warden I had a check list and the cells had to be of a high standard or they were closed until they had repairs done I was there to make sure the detainees rights were not violated and was responsible for anything they needed before they were either released or went on the prison bus going to court I woullovshake
Stephanie Porterfield 5 years ago
I applaud her!! Way to stand up for inmates! I have been in that jail twice. Once in July if 2017 & again in May of 2018. Conditions were deplorable!! I.came from another jail in Roger's County where everything is up to code & rules are enforced according to jail policy. So I was shocked that a county just up the road was allowed to operate under these deplorable conditions. They even tell female inmates to "bunk up" with each other when there is not enough room. This is illegal. Another thing is there is no way to make free calls out & no list of bondsman phone numbers posted as there is supposed to be. There is 1 phone w 2 pin number written in pencil on the wall. You have to try each pin number at random times a day hoping to get through. When I bonded out 1 of the employees asked me to call the health & fire inspector. I should have. Lastly, if you didn't know they charge inmates a fee of $35 a day to stay there. In my opinion it needs condemned to build a new jail.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
What the hell are you doing getting arrested every 15 minutes?
Load More Replies... Aunt Messy 5 years ago
If I were writing this as a novel, the jail would be extremely well funded - if the judge quit stealing the money meant to keep inmates safe. In fact, given that the previous sherrif was arrested for embezzlement and likely a buddy of that judge, I’m guessing that’s EXACTLY what’s going on.
Marnee DeRider 5 years ago
I wish there were a link to a news article, so that some of us would click, and then that local paper would realize they are getting a LOT of traffic, and that would trickle into the county gossip, so the county officials would realize people are paying attention around the country. But there is no link.
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
Look her up by name, and you'll hit a local article. I do it all the time.
Load More Replies...
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/20/an-oklahoma-sheriff-quit-protest-over-dangerous-jail-conditions-so-did-all-deputies/?utm_term=.28a604c8fc8d
KarmaQueen 5 years ago
She should be proud that she exposed the judge for what he was. Jail is not about a death sentence because of conditions. People in jail still have rights to be treated with decency and a safe place to reside for their term. I am not saying make it easy of them, however, we also should not make it a death trap.
Warren Cancilla 5 years ago
Is it a private prison that is paying off the judge? Is this judge known for inordinately high rate and length of incarceration of People of Color? Follow the money
Rich McCormick 5 years ago
5 stars for that woman and her people for walking out on that corrupt, nasty judge and his refusal to do the right thing rather than the wrong thing!
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
I think, the governor should become involved. That judge is compromising the staff as well as the prisoners, and violating the constitution and well as the constitutional rights of the staff! He verbally bribed the sheriff, and should be prosecuted, as well as his decisions for sentences examined by a federal group. He should be removed from his job, and fined as needed, jailed as needed... I. The jailhe wants to send prisoners back to. I would also have a task force examine the nature and causes of death for any prisoner that died there, and of it is shown the jail conditions caused the death, then the county / city needs to be sued, class action kind of suit. What an a*****e. Also, I’d look in to where the money for jail improvements and renovations has gone to, since the jail obviously never got done! And the prior sheriff was arrested and jailed for embezzlement! Dirty ,dirty, dirty.
tuzdayschild 5 years ago
This country needs about a million more Terry Barnetts. People who care more about human beings than money.
Nikki D 5 years ago
There is a real problem with corrupt judges and sheriffs in this country. I am glad to see there is at least one upstanding sheriff, her family must be proud. However, I am saddened to see that nothing is being done about that crooked judge. Even worse that the whole county is on the side of corruption. When the people vote for corruption, I don't see what can be done.
Nikki Felix 5 years ago
Someone should throw the judge in that jail and leave them there for a day or two, see if they change their mind.
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
Here is a law officer who understands the meaning of "protect and serve." Inmates are still human, regardless of what crimes they have committed - and in our lock-up happy country, a lot of prisoners have committed only minor, non-violent crimes, or have yet to be even tried!
Jeff Christensen 5 years ago
Here in Australia, the very idea of public election of judges and other public officials seems entirely bizarre.
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
I think (I'm not sure) that it was a reaction to 'patronage jobs', where the man in charge handed out plum positions to all his friends who had supported him. Everyone figured that electing them would keep things honest. I'm not sure anything keeps *some* people honest.
Load More Replies...
Michèle Gyselinck 5 years ago
Our judges in Canada are not elected at ANY level but appointed by government officials, That doesn't mean everything is perfect, but at least I've never heard of anything like that happening. Now Canada is huge, but still....
QueenOlive 5 years ago
Inmates are still people. Whatever they've done, they are paying for it by being in jail. It's not okay to put them in hazardous conditions, Especially when they cannot leave. Way to go!
QueenOlive 5 years ago
That first sentence rocked my world. This should be everyone. It's so great to know There are still people like this.
Buzz Covington 5 years ago
Why is it imposition find any photos of Judge Carl Gibson? Very odd.
Janet Julien 5 years ago
Lock the judge up in that jail for a few months for extortion and attempted bribery of a public official, see how HE likes it
Little Duck 5 years ago
And you can see carbon monoxide with your super power vision? This jail is DEADLY and there is proof. Just because you cannot see the full extent or the danger does not mean it doesn't exist! People have died in this jail, and people will continue to do so if it is not fixed. Do you understand that people's lives are put at risk?
Load More Replies... Karen Klinck 5 years ago
This is someone who takes her office seriously. She's attempting to curb crime, not encourage it.
Load More Replies... Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago
The point being that dogs have higher moral standards than a lot of judges and politicians.
Load More Replies... Max L. 5 years ago
Fine. The judge may be facing jail ? I have an idea of an available location not to mix him with ordinary inmates.
Michèle Gyselinck 5 years ago
GREAT idea. Maybe he'd stop giving ridiculous orders if he had to live in those conditions, although if he has to go to prison for corruption he won't be able to give anymore stupid orders.
Load More Replies... Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
What a brave and honorable lady. Sadly in the world we live in,people in elected positions often times only have their own personal interests at heart. Its a rarity to see someone truly serving the people, its a real shame she was forced to resign.
Nikki D 5 years ago
Hopefully the public outcry will help fix this problem, although since I am not hearing anything about firing the judge, I am not too optimistic.
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 5 years ago
I think the judge needs to spend a week at the facilities that he thinks are safe for prisoners. Maybe he can get his a$$ shocked in the shower.
Kevin Camp 5 years ago
I live iun Tulsa, about 40 miles south of Nowata. This kind of behvior has been going in Oklahoma since statehood. Officials carving out little fiefdoms with power over the residents. Some are so powerful even the local press are afraid to speak out against them or spin it into favorable news for the powerful. Nowata County is a tiny microcosm of what goes on in th rest of the world. If you don;t think the wealthy and pwerful do not do anything they please to the people they have power over, then you are a fool.
Agnes Jekyll 5 years ago
I've heard such good things about Oklahoma--in that, they have been the most democratic state in the union....I hope that's still true
Load More Replies... The durpy dolphin 5 years ago
There are MANY charges this judge could go under. Bribery of law oficials, attemted man slaughter, and even breaking the constitution. I could go on and on, but we dont want this to be that long.
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
I'd say that, since he had prior knowledge of the conditions, it would be attempted murder, not manslaughter.
Load More Replies... Lilith Hollis 5 years ago
Good for her doing the right thing I live in Scotland and I worked in the police station as a independent warden I had a check list and the cells had to be of a high standard or they were closed until they had repairs done I was there to make sure the detainees rights were not violated and was responsible for anything they needed before they were either released or went on the prison bus going to court I woullovshake
Stephanie Porterfield 5 years ago
I applaud her!! Way to stand up for inmates! I have been in that jail twice. Once in July if 2017 & again in May of 2018. Conditions were deplorable!! I.came from another jail in Roger's County where everything is up to code & rules are enforced according to jail policy. So I was shocked that a county just up the road was allowed to operate under these deplorable conditions. They even tell female inmates to "bunk up" with each other when there is not enough room. This is illegal. Another thing is there is no way to make free calls out & no list of bondsman phone numbers posted as there is supposed to be. There is 1 phone w 2 pin number written in pencil on the wall. You have to try each pin number at random times a day hoping to get through. When I bonded out 1 of the employees asked me to call the health & fire inspector. I should have. Lastly, if you didn't know they charge inmates a fee of $35 a day to stay there. In my opinion it needs condemned to build a new jail.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
What the hell are you doing getting arrested every 15 minutes?
Load More Replies... Aunt Messy 5 years ago
If I were writing this as a novel, the jail would be extremely well funded - if the judge quit stealing the money meant to keep inmates safe. In fact, given that the previous sherrif was arrested for embezzlement and likely a buddy of that judge, I’m guessing that’s EXACTLY what’s going on.
Marnee DeRider 5 years ago
I wish there were a link to a news article, so that some of us would click, and then that local paper would realize they are getting a LOT of traffic, and that would trickle into the county gossip, so the county officials would realize people are paying attention around the country. But there is no link.
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
Look her up by name, and you'll hit a local article. I do it all the time.
Load More Replies... Karen Klinck 5 years ago
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/20/an-oklahoma-sheriff-quit-protest-over-dangerous-jail-conditions-so-did-all-deputies/?utm_term=.28a604c8fc8d
KarmaQueen 5 years ago
She should be proud that she exposed the judge for what he was. Jail is not about a death sentence because of conditions. People in jail still have rights to be treated with decency and a safe place to reside for their term. I am not saying make it easy of them, however, we also should not make it a death trap.
Warren Cancilla 5 years ago
Is it a private prison that is paying off the judge? Is this judge known for inordinately high rate and length of incarceration of People of Color? Follow the money
Rich McCormick 5 years ago
5 stars for that woman and her people for walking out on that corrupt, nasty judge and his refusal to do the right thing rather than the wrong thing!
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
I think, the governor should become involved. That judge is compromising the staff as well as the prisoners, and violating the constitution and well as the constitutional rights of the staff! He verbally bribed the sheriff, and should be prosecuted, as well as his decisions for sentences examined by a federal group. He should be removed from his job, and fined as needed, jailed as needed... I. The jailhe wants to send prisoners back to. I would also have a task force examine the nature and causes of death for any prisoner that died there, and of it is shown the jail conditions caused the death, then the county / city needs to be sued, class action kind of suit. What an a*****e. Also, I’d look in to where the money for jail improvements and renovations has gone to, since the jail obviously never got done! And the prior sheriff was arrested and jailed for embezzlement! Dirty ,dirty, dirty.
tuzdayschild 5 years ago
This country needs about a million more Terry Barnetts. People who care more about human beings than money.
Nikki D 5 years ago
There is a real problem with corrupt judges and sheriffs in this country. I am glad to see there is at least one upstanding sheriff, her family must be proud. However, I am saddened to see that nothing is being done about that crooked judge. Even worse that the whole county is on the side of corruption. When the people vote for corruption, I don't see what can be done.
Nikki Felix 5 years ago
Someone should throw the judge in that jail and leave them there for a day or two, see if they change their mind.
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
Here is a law officer who understands the meaning of "protect and serve." Inmates are still human, regardless of what crimes they have committed - and in our lock-up happy country, a lot of prisoners have committed only minor, non-violent crimes, or have yet to be even tried!
Jeff Christensen 5 years ago
Here in Australia, the very idea of public election of judges and other public officials seems entirely bizarre.
Karen Klinck 5 years ago
I think (I'm not sure) that it was a reaction to 'patronage jobs', where the man in charge handed out plum positions to all his friends who had supported him. Everyone figured that electing them would keep things honest. I'm not sure anything keeps *some* people honest.
Load More Replies... Michèle Gyselinck 5 years ago
Our judges in Canada are not elected at ANY level but appointed by government officials, That doesn't mean everything is perfect, but at least I've never heard of anything like that happening. Now Canada is huge, but still....
QueenOlive 5 years ago
Inmates are still people. Whatever they've done, they are paying for it by being in jail. It's not okay to put them in hazardous conditions, Especially when they cannot leave. Way to go!
QueenOlive 5 years ago
That first sentence rocked my world. This should be everyone. It's so great to know There are still people like this.
Buzz Covington 5 years ago
Why is it imposition find any photos of Judge Carl Gibson? Very odd.
Janet Julien 5 years ago
Lock the judge up in that jail for a few months for extortion and attempted bribery of a public official, see how HE likes it
Little Duck 5 years ago
And you can see carbon monoxide with your super power vision? This jail is DEADLY and there is proof. Just because you cannot see the full extent or the danger does not mean it doesn't exist! People have died in this jail, and people will continue to do so if it is not fixed. Do you understand that people's lives are put at risk?
Load More Replies...
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