OK Forensics

OK Forensic Center Expansion: Building Secure Mental Health Facilities in Oklahoma

Vinita, OK

The OK Forensic Center expansion reflects the resilience and commitment it takes to serve some of the most vulnerable populations in Oklahoma. This 33,837 SF project expanded the state’s only inpatient forensic mental health hospital, adding 80 new beds and secure holding facilities to relieve pressure on a system facing unprecedented demand.

Project Story
Forensic mental health services in Oklahoma have been under intense scrutiny, with lawsuits, court orders, and state-level mandates pushing for expanded capacity and faster competency restoration. The Vinita facility serves all 77 counties, making it the central hub for pretrial defendants and individuals adjudicated as Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI).

Crossland’s role in delivering this expansion was about more than construction; it was about helping the state meet urgent needs for timely, secure treatment. Despite shifts in leadership and evolving design requirements, our team stayed focused on solutions, ensuring the project progressed without losing momentum.

Design and Construction
The facility’s design emphasizes safety and function. A 20-foot anti-climb security fence secures the perimeter, while durable EIFS cladding, CMU walls, and LVT flooring ensure resilience for high-use spaces. Crossland self-performed the structural steel scope, maintaining quality and schedule control throughout.

Collaboration in Action
The expansion directly strengthens Oklahoma’s ability to provide timely forensic mental health services, reduce waitlists, and improve public safety. It is part of a larger statewide investment in behavioral health infrastructure, alongside new facilities like the Oklahoma Psychiatric Care Center in Tulsa, that demonstrate a renewed commitment to care. By delivering this project, Crossland helped ensure the state’s only forensic hospital is equipped to meet urgent needs and serve as a cornerstone in ongoing mental health reform.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Healthcare
Cost: $14,337,633
Size: 33,837 SF
Delivery Method: Construction Management
Owner: Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Architect: Dewberry Architects Inc.