Welcome to Skagit County

May 9th, 2006

SKAGIT COUNTY TO SEND INMATES TO OKANOGAN COUNTY JAIL TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution and agreement today with Okanogan County to house inmates in the Okanogan County Jail. The agreement is in effect immediately with Skagit County paying $40 per day per inmate.

The Skagit County Jail is currently experiencing overcrowding. The facility was built in 1983 and was rated by the State of Washington with a capacity of 83 beds. In 2005, the jail’s average daily population was 187.

“We have been operating the jail in a crisis mode for the last several years. We don’t like turning away bad guys that deserve to stay in our fine establishment, however, our population levels have been such that it puts our corrections deputies and other inmates in a volatile situation. The contract with Okanogan County will not open up bed space in the County Jail, however, it will allow us to operate with more reasonable population levels.” said Skagit County Sheriff Rick Grimstead.

According to Grimstead, most of the inmates sent to Okanogan County will have already been sentenced, however, some could be sent that have court dates set at least 30 days in the future.

Skagit County is currently in the planning process to address the shortage of jail space.

For further information, contact Dan Berentson at 360-419-3461