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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State mental health commissioner Terri White has apologized to a judge who threatened to hold her in contempt of court because a mentally ill defendant did not get treatment for six months.
White promised during a meeting Friday that the judge would be notified if competency treatment cannot be provided for a defendant within a reasonable time, The Oklahoman (http://bit.ly/18i5Qp9 ) reported.
District Judge Ray C. Elliot dismissed a contempt-of-court proceeding against White after the meeting.
"It was a very short and pleasant meeting with the judge, and he understands the situation," a Mental Health Department spokesman said Monday.
White had been admonished for not transferring a defendant to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita per Elliot's order. The defendant was transferred to the mental health facility after White's hearing was scheduled.
The commissioner denies violating judicial orders, but acknowledges that judges need to be better informed about a defendant's status, especially since there is a shortage of beds at the mental health facility.
"The department's waiting list for services is longer than it has ever been. The department assured the judge that we will stay in better communication with the court concerning the list as we move forward," said the spokesman.
The Oklahoma Forensic Center has space for about 175 beds. As of Monday, 105 male defendants and 22 female defendants were on the wait list for the center.
By law, the commissioner has the authority to "delay inpatient admissions when such admissions would cause facilities to exceed their authorized capacity."
This month, professionals from the mental health department began treating defendants at the Oklahoma County jail. Defendants do not lose their place on the waiting list even if they receive treatment while in jail.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
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