Will the new Whatcom County jail have a "build it, fill it" dynamic?

At the time the facility is designed, a formula will be used to determine the number of beds needed in the new jail/Behavioral Care Center. The idea is to “right-size” the jail so that it reduces the need for booking restrictions; has some capacity for the future as population grows; allows for flexibility to house inmates safely, but doesn’t “overbuild”.

It is important to note that when a jurisdiction has or builds extra capacity in its jail, it doesn’t mean it’s filled with people who are needlessly held. Currently, Skagit and Snohomish counties have new jails and neither are close to capacity. The SCORE facility located in Des Moines is operating under capacity.

Data shows that our courts tend to divert people from jail when good diversion opportunities exist, as they do here in Whatcom County.

Image: Cascadia Daily