Is Whatcom County, as a whole, responsible for the Bellingham jail?

State law specifies that counties have the authority to site and operate a jail. Therefore, Whatcom County has the sole responsibility for how it’s jails are run. If Bellingham’s abhorrent jail conditions are to be resolved, it is the County’s hands in which through it will inevitably happen.

Since at least 1909, misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors have been punishable with ‘imprisonment in a county jail’, whereas felonies are punishable with ‘imprisonment in a state penitentiary’. Counties and cities can enter into ‘interlocal agreements’ for the operation of a jail.

Image: Bellingham Herald