Stillwater to close city jail, projects more than $1 million in annual savings under county agreement
Thirteen civilian positions eliminated as city transfers prisoner housing to Payne County Jail beginning July 1
The Stillwater City Council approved an agreement April 20 to close the city's municipal jail and transfer prisoner housing to the Payne County Jail beginning July 1 — a move that Police Chief Chris Hassig says could save the city more than $1 million a year.
The city currently spends roughly $1.1 million annually on jail salaries, benefits, and equipment. Under the new agreement, the city will pay Payne County $27 per prisoner per day. Based on 2025 booking volume, Hassig estimates annual costs will run between $27,000 and $54,000 (at $27 per day, 1,010 prisoners at a one-day average stay would cost approximately $27,270; a two-day average would run approximately $54,540). The agreement also sets separate rates for prisoner transport at $35 per hour for staff time and $55 per hour if the city fails to assume a hospital watch.
The consolidation reflects the operational overlap that already exists between the two facilities. Of the 1,010 individuals booked into the Stillwater city jail in 2025, 453 — nearly half — were transferred to the Payne County Jail anyway, according to the department's 2025 annual report. Another 523 were released directly from the city facility, and 34 were transferred elsewhere. The city jail's average length of stay was eight hours and 18 minutes.
"This is a practical extension of our ongoing collaboration with Payne County and to eliminate operational redundancies," Hassig said when the city announced the closure in March. "I appreciate the dedication of those who have served in the jail and wish them every success moving forward."
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The closure affects 10 filled positions and three vacancies — 13 authorized civilian positions in all — which will be eliminated from the department's authorized strength on July 1. The Stillwater Police Department employs 80 sworn officers and 45 professional civilian support staff at full authorized strength, meaning the eliminated positions represent more than a quarter of its civilian workforce.
Hassig said employees were offered positions with Payne County or could apply for open city vacancies if they met qualifications. Those who remain with the city without securing another position by July 1 will have their employment end, with each receiving a severance package that includes salary and benefits.
The city jail was rated to hold a maximum of 57 individuals at a time, with prisoners held no more than 10 days before being released or transferred.
The council pulled the agreement from its consent docket April 20 after City Attorney Kimberly Carnley flagged a last-minute amendment. The change specifies that the city will cover transportation, security, initial hospital watch, and pharmaceutical costs for any city prisoner transported to an outside medical facility — up to a combined limit of $50,000. The council approved the amended agreement 5-0.
Payne County Sheriff Joe Harper said the arrangement extends a model already in place with other municipalities.
"Centralizing jail services allows us to streamline operations and make better use of public resources," Harper said. "We're pleased to provide this service to the City of Stillwater."
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