How will the number of beds in Whatcom’s new jail facility be determined?

The number of beds in Whatcom County’s new jail facility has been a contentious issue for our community. The Yes! Safe Jail Healthy Outcomes committee has promoted the idea that the number of beds should be based on an objective formula driven by best practices and focused on the outcomes laid out in the Implementation Plan at the time of design and building of the new jail.

This approach enables the discussion of bed numbers to be based on objective, operational needs and community expectations.

From the Whatcom County website:

“For the purposes of cost estimation only, a conceptual bed count was defined. Preliminary concepts for the new jail facility account for minimum to high security housing for 400-440 individuals, not including behavioral care center beds, which are estimated to serve 60-75 individuals. A final size (bed count) still needs to be determined.”

At the Council’s June 13th Special Committee of the Whole meeting, Council approved a motion to amend the Implementation Plan to clearly define the equation for calculating the number of beds that will be proposed initially and what triggers expansion. (AB2023-304)

Image: Photo illustration of a jail bed