overcrowding in the skagit county jail. the video production everything we have drawn on is from...
TRANSCRIPT
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 Aging population and large financial burden related to this
The average length of stay is a problem and the long-term population is a root cause of the overcrowding 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