BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The overcrowded Whatcom County Jail can no longer send their inmates to Yakima County, and only have a few months to find a solution.
Sheriff Bill Elfo tells KOMO they’ve been renting jail cells in the Yakima County jail to alleviate overcrowding, but in August, Yakima leaders decided to terminate the contract due to money issues.
The jail is set to be renovated in January, further reducing Whatcom County’s inmate capacity and Bellingham Police Chief David Doll says keeping inmates local isn’t feasible.
Elfo says renting more cell space is likely their only option.
KOMO reports Elfo and Doll plan to meet with Yakima County in October to see if they can work out a new plan.