Mayor Harrell Proposes Jail Pilot to Ensure Well Functioning Criminal Legal System, Improve Accountability for Criminal Actions and Deliver Services for Those in Need

Seattle - Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell proposed legislation for a new pilot program to send a limited number of misdemeanor offenders to the South Correctional Facility (SCORE), allowing the City to more consistently book individuals who have engaged in misdemeanor criminal offenses. The proposal - informed by a stakeholder process including criminal legal system partners, diversion advocates, and service providers - seeks to ensure a robust and well-functioning system that combines best practices to deter criminal activity and provides an array of options to provide access to health, treatment, and legal services for those in need.

"Public safety is our top priority as a City and the plain reality is that our current process and system for incarcerating repeat criminal offenders is not meeting the moment. Jail is not always the first or most appropriate option for someone engaged in unlawful activities, and throughout my career I have been a strong advocate for ensuring an array of diversion programs, but an effective jail option is necessary for a functioning criminal legal system," said Mayor Harrell. "The goal of this pilot is to give us needed flexibility, capacity, and stability in jail options, ensuring clear and consistent accountability for individuals based on their actions. Our One Seattle vision is that people in crisis should get the help they need, and this pilot would include strict requirements for access to medical, mental health, and drug treatment services. We also must recognize that the status quo of people suffering on our streets in a frequent cycle of arrest, release, and re-offense fails to serve them and our greater Seattle community."

The SCORE facility is accredited by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs for following best practices related to use of force, management, staffing, records management, health and safety, training, code of conduct. The facility is also accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and meets the national standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse. SCORE also has video court options, on-site medical care, and drug and mental health treatment services. As part of the ILA, the City would ensure that all inmates can connect with outreach providers, case workers, shelter and supportive housing providers to coordinate warm handoffs with transportation upon release. This includes specialized clinical intervention services for Trueblood class members.

The pilot program Interlocal Agreement (ILA) would authorize the City to use at least 20 beds at the SCORE facility, at a cost of one and a half to three million dollars per year depending on utilization rate. Currently, the City contracts with the King County Correctional Facility. In 2023, Seattle's average number of misdemeanor offenders held in jail was half of what it was in 2019, dropping from 180 to 75, reflecting a lack of available corrections officers and resulting booking restrictions.

"There are many complex factors that contribute to crime and violence in our community and improving public safety requires a multi-faceted approach that includes both services and enforcement. The City has a variety of outreach programs to divert individuals into treatment and services but the few who refuse assistance and continue illegal and unsafe behavior cannot just be left on the street to continue endangering themselves and others," said Interim Chief of Police Sue Rahr. "We have a responsibility to place those people in secure detection until their unsafe behavior can be addressed and to stop the predatory businesses and cycle of desperation that captures people suffering from addiction and harms communities. Without more options for secure detention, the police cannot carry out our vital role to provide safety for everyone."

The City will develop clear policies on which crimes and detainees may be booked at SCORE as part pilot program under the ILA. Generally, SCORE will be used to hold misdemeanor offenders for 24-48 hours if they are medically cleared to be booked, have been arrested for offenses that fall outside of the current King County jail booking restrictions but that still have significant impact to the community, and are unlikely to be subject to additional criminal proceedings after their preliminary hearing or arraignment.

The City will continuously assess the effectiveness of this program and reserves the right to terminate this program if it does not meet the needs and expectations of the City. SCORE jail beds used this year would be paid for with underspend from the King County jail contract and in 2025 would be paid for as part of the City's general fund.

"Jail can be very disruptive and especially so for people with behavioral or substance use disorders. Offering additional resources benefits persons receiving treatment and contributes to an overall safer jail and the communities' receiving persons upon release from jail," said SCORE Executive Director Devon Schrum. "SCORE partners with other agencies and community providers to offer treatment and community reentry support. SCORE holds accreditations with the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare, Prison Rape Elimination Act Certification through the Department of Justice and serves as a Bureau of Justice Administration National Mentor Site for Medication for Opioid Use Disorder treatment in a corrections setting."

The stakeholder engagement process to develop this agreement included a diverse group of perspectives including law enforcement, service providers, civil rights, labor, and others coming together as a workgroup to address concerns and determine solutions to operational issues. The objective of the workgroup is to receive feedback and highlight operational issues concerning the potential jail expansion.

The legislation will be sent to City Council for approval and states that the ILA will not go into effect until the City formally notifies SCORE, and that, before the City does that, outstanding operational issues will be addressed as completely as possible and detailed policies will be drafted.

What People Are Saying

Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), Public Safety Chair

"During my first six months on the Council, it's been clear the status quo with our jail system is not meeting Seattle's needs, especially when it comes to booking misdemeanors. This has allowed the permissive environment to fester, impacted the morale of our police officers, and inhibited our ability to create a safe base for our families, businesses, and communities. Additional jail capacity is a necessary component of our Strategic Framework, and I want to commend Mayor Harrell and his team for their leadership in negotiating the SCORE pilot program and their partnership in incorporating stakeholder input."

City Attorney Ann Davison

"City leaders need to be able to set city policy for arrests and jail bookings to create a functioning public safety system. Right now, we could not book a suspect arrested for stealing $700 from a small business or for smashing a plate glass window of a storefront in Seattle into jail. To improve public safety in Seattle, we must regain our misdemeanor jail booking capacity." 

Purpose Dignity Action (PDA) Deputy Director Brandi McNeil and Co-Executive Director Lisa Daugaard

 "We appreciate the spirit with which the Mayor's Office is exploring answers to jail capacity needs. The current and anticipated jail population is far below what it was in years past, but when specific circumstances lead to an officer deciding to book someone into jail, it's essential that facilities be workable and humane. We've surveyed participants in our programs to understand their recent experiences in area jails, and have shared those experiences with the Mayor's workgroup. As the City works on jail options, we are committed to continuing to identify problems and propose solutions, and appreciate the Mayor's commitment to taking that information on board and to solve issues that may arise."

Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes

"We thank Mayor Harrell for taking action and looking for additional resources to improve public safety. For a city to be vibrant and welcoming, people who visit, work or live here need to feel safe. The City Council should approve this program."

CID Public Safety Council Co-Chair Gary Lee

"I say absolutely yes to increasing jail capacity. It is unsafe to keep letting offenders go free because there is 'no room' in the jail."

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