In case the facility is temporarily closed, alternate plans are in place at other facilities to accommodate juveniles in need of detention, Christian said.

"There's no need for public concern. Provisions have been made for the juveniles currently in detention, or those who come into custody during the transition period.

"Our goal is to see that the transition is as short as possible, the public is continually protected and in the end, to have a properly functioning, operating detention facility in Cleveland County," Christian said.

A governor's advisory council on Latin American and Hispanic Affairs called for an investigation of the facility after the escapes and the shooting death of Sanchez. The advisory council also questioned whether Sanchez was receiving mental health care while at the Alan J. Couch Detention Center.

The four juveniles reportedly used improvised weapons, including a sharpened plunger handle and steel pole, with which they threatened the person working at the detention facility that night. According to a police summary, the youths ultimately kicked open a door and crawled through an opening in a fence they'd made days before.

"I am confident by Nov. 1 we will have one of those two outcomes -- a brief stop of services while we get up to standards, or we'll continue as we are with a new provider doing the upgrading and training of the current staff.

"The residents of Cleveland and McClain County can be assured that this will be resolved and the facility will continue to operate," Hobson said.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com