Law and Justice
Staff Contact:  Julie Murray

Jails
Many demands on county jails are driven by the Legislature as new criminal laws are enacted and more “community-based” sentencing and supervision are required, thus increasing capacity problems. As more defendants are convicted of multiple misdemeanors, such as driving while license suspended, many jails are housing inmates for periods exceeding a year. As more inmates enter jails and stay for long periods of time, those with medical, psychological and substance-abuse conditions strain jail budgets and sometimes receive inadequate health care and treatment. Between 56 percent and 79 percent of adult inmates have been found to be in need of chemical dependency treatment. Counties also often provide services for state agencies, such as confinement of Fish and Wildlife and State Patrol misdemeanants and DOC supervision violators in county jails, for which little or no monetary compensation is provided – thus exacerbating the overcrowding and under-funding problems.

WSAC Policy:
Counties believe the Legislature should require state agencies to enter into and honor compensation agreements for housing state misdemeanant inmates and DOC violators. Counties support state “extraordinary fund” assistance for jails that house unexpectedly high numbers of ill inmates or any ill inmates who require specialized care, isolation, or high-cost treatment. Counties further support state assistance in purchasing and distributing medications to inmates, and preparing pre-release documentation to ensure inmates continue to receive needed medications and care following release from jail. Counties also support use of the state public works trust fund and public safety and education account or a new funding source to assist with construction and maintenance of adult or juvenile correction and detention facilities.