Transcript Video Synopsis - Skagit County

OVERCROWDING IN THE
SKAGIT COUNTY JAIL
The Video Production
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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
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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
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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
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High degree of recidivism –2/3 return within 3 years
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The average length of stay is a problem and the long-term
population is a root cause of the overcrowding
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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
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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
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Since 2004, bookings have decreased
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correlated to a lack of offenses; no space
available
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Public safety is at risk
 Early
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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
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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
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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
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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