BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Whatcom County Jail officials are moving to Plan B after original plans to fix the jail’s elevators failed.
The Sheriff’s Office reports that technicians were initially able to get the elevators running on Tuesday, February 1st, but an electronic parts failure continues to cause issues.
Sheriff Bill Elfo says they’ve been utilizing a temporary solution in the meantime.
“We have one visitation elevator and we’re looking at maybe closing off the visitor lobby and making that a secure area,” said Elfo. “And using that visiting elevator, the single elevator, as a means to move inmates.”
However, the temporary solution comes with its own caveats.
“That’s a very small elevator. It won’t accommodate a stretcher for a medical emergency,” said Elfo. “Which necessitates us eliminating visitation which is the key, in a large part, to many inmates to success of staying touch with their families while they’re incarcerated.”
The Sheriff’s Office adds that limited video call visitations will be allowed in the near future.