Durant, Oklahoma – The Choctaw Nation celebrated a major expansion of its Judicial Center on Friday, adding roughly 9,000 square feet to the facility that first opened in 2019. The new space includes a larger courtroom named Achukmaka, meaning “to be well,” and is designed to support the tribe’s Healing to Wellness Court and juvenile proceedings.
Wellness at the heart of the expansion
Chief Gary Batton emphasized that the expansion is more than a construction project; it is a concrete step toward tribal wellness. “Wellness is really important to our people, not just incarceration,” Batton said. He explained that the new courtroom will allow the tribe to offer wrap‑around services for individuals battling alcohol or substance abuse, as well as mental‑health challenges, rather than relying solely on sentencing.
Judicial leadership highlights treatment focus
David Burrage, chief justice of the Choctaw Nation Judicial Department, described the new courtroom as a venue for treatment‑oriented justice. “Rather than being sentenced or fined, it gives them other avenues to get treatment and maybe get better for whatever the addiction or mental illness is that caused them to potentially wind up in our criminal system,” Burrage said. The expansion therefore aligns with the tribe’s broader goal of treating underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior.
Improved facilities for accessibility and comfort
In addition to the courtroom, the project added larger waiting areas and additional restrooms, improving accessibility and comfort for all who use the courthouse. These upgrades reflect a commitment to making the judicial process more humane and user‑friendly for tribal members.
Sovereignty in action
Chief Batton also linked the expansion to tribal sovereignty. “The expansion really means, one, we’re exercising our sovereignty to make sure… that’s not a bad thing. It’s about us delivering the proper services and judicial system to our people,” he explained. By expanding its own judicial infrastructure, the Choctaw Nation reinforces its self‑governance and ability to provide culturally appropriate legal services.
Community impact
The new courtroom and enhanced facilities are expected to benefit not only those directly involved in the legal system but also the broader Durant community. By offering treatment alternatives and a more dignified court experience, the Choctaw Nation aims to reduce recidivism and promote healthier outcomes for families across the region.
Local officials and tribal members alike praised the project as a positive step toward a more compassionate and sovereign justice system.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
