Background & Approach
Tulsa County, located in northeast Oklahoma, is the second most populous county in the state. Tulsa County implemented a two-way text messaging tool called Uptrust aimed at reducing failure-to-appear rates by reminding clients of upcoming court dates. Additionally, a case manager is embedded in the Tulsa County Public Defenders’ Office to provide direct client support and help clients use the tool to link to vital social service providers that assist with housing, transportation, and services that address underlying mental health and substance abuse disorders that have contributed to their entanglement in the criminal justice system. Public Defender clients receive cell phones with access to the Uptrust messaging tool as well as secure access to transportation to court appearances.
Tulsa County continues to engage with the Safety and Justice Challenge Network to rethink and redesign its criminal justice system so that it is more fair, just, and equitable for all.
