OVERCROWDING IN THE SKAGIT COUNTY JAIL The Video

OVERCROWDING IN THE SKAGIT COUNTY JAIL

The Video Production Everything we have drawn on is from the Voorhis Associates Inc. 2005 and 2008 Master Plans As the video producers, we are not qualified to make suggestions or recommend solutions, just present data We are producing an overview of the issues for the layman Audience: General public Message: The jail is overcrowded and we are in need of immediate solutions to correct the problem Purpose: Generate discussion regarding the Justice Center and our overcrowding problem

The History Opened in 1984 with 83 beds Funded through a grant from a now defunct Washington State Jail Standards commission Regardless of layout and design constraints, the jail was constructed

The Current Condition The jail is now overcrowded and expanding the core facility is not a workable alternative With the expected population increase, the overcrowding problem will continue to cause serious problems The facility is inadequate, technologically lagging, and not fulfilling its intended purpose

The Facts High degree of recidivism – 2/3 return within 3 years The average length of stay is a problem and the longterm population is a root cause of the overcrowding Aging population and large financial burden related to this Almost 27 days in 2005 9% held for more than 30 days. This 9% accounts for 75% of all jail space used. Substance abuse is a significant problem in Skagit County Mental illness and substance abuse filings increased 183% between 1998 and 2007 The most common reasons for incarceration are drug and alcohol offenses

The Impacts Since 2004, bookings have decreased Not correlated to a lack of offenses; no space available Public safety is at risk Early releases affect the community both collectively and individually When public safety deteriorates, so does the quality of life in Skagit County

The Recommendations The Big Picture • Replace the existing jail with a new Community Justice Center • Hire more full-time employees to provide more in-house rehabilitation programs The Problems • Funding • Design and construction time • Constituency

The Fine Print Reducing recidivism and lengths of stay will reduce the jail population Need to treat felons like drug and alcohol treatment centers treat substance abusers Any form of solution needs to involve existing community resources Good release procedure (Housing, job opportunities, support system) Local effort Productive and proactive aftercare process Case expediter Continue and expand community programs facilitated by the Sheriff’s office

Needed Action We have recommended solutions This is a much larger issue than the public realizes This is about more than the jail population Crime and its effects will continue to rise because we are failing to deal with the problem properly Financial burden associated with the problem This is not high enough of a priority at this time It’s time to address the problem We need leadership and workable programs before we will gain public support