Spokane leaders prioritize public safety with new jail proposal

After years of overcrowded jails, rising crime, and a serious drug crisis, Spokane officials are finally taking action to restore order. A new regional task force has been developed in hopes of  building a new jail which is a long overdue move that puts public safety first.

A Tuesday press conference included law enforcement, business leaders, and health experts, all working together to fix a broken system. Sheriff John Nowels and Mayor Lisa Brown announced the new initiative.

“This task force — that table bringing together those diverse voices, from law enforcement to health care providers to those with those lived experiences — this is the way to find a path forward. No single organization or jurisdiction can take this on alone,” Greater Spokane Inc. Board Chair Charlotte Nemec told The Center Square.

New jail plan aims to restore order

Spokane’s downtown jail is frequently in “red light status,” meaning they’re not accepting new bookings. This is due to staffing and facility issues. Even Mayor Brown, who opposed the previous jail proposal, is showing support, as long as behavioral health services are included.

“Any plan would need to bolster behavioral health services to receive her endorsement,” Brown previously told The Center Square. 

The task force will meet monthly and present a plan by Spring. The plan will likely include a new sales task proposal to fund the jail. The last proposal would’ve cost just $2 per $1,000 spent and generated $1.7 billion over 30 years.

“We’re going to find opportunities for not just the facility, a jail facility, mental health and drug treatment type options, but ways to improve the criminal justice system overall that will be cost-effective for the city, for the county, for neighboring jurisdictions, and also help speed up justice,” Councilmember Michael Cathcart told The Center Square.

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