BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A proposed deal between the Whatcom and Snohomish County Jails has been rejected.
The Whatcom County Council had agreed to spend $1.2 million to house up to 45 low maintenance inmates in Snohomish County’s jail.
But last week, Snohomish County’s Chief of Corrections Jamie Kane said their county executive and sheriff would not support the proposal.
He says staffing shortages will not allow them to take inmates from Whatcom County and unexpected public outcry also weighed in on the decision.
Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo says he and his staff are looking into other options to alleviate overcrowding at the Whatcom County Jail.