U.S. Justice Department told its request to inspect Oklahoma County jail has been denied.

The U.S. Justice Department has been told its request to inspect the troubled Oklahoma County jail is being denied "at this time."

Oklahoma County commissioners voted unanimously this month to deny the inspection request, despite the risk that refusal could lead to a costly federal lawsuit.

"I feel like we've done everything that we could do within our power," said Brian Maughan, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. "I feel like we have satisfied most of their concerns and we should be given recognition for that."

Attorneys from the Justice Department's civil rights division had asked to tour the jail Nov. 6-10 with their expert consultants "to assess compliance" with a 2009 agreement to improve conditions.