October 14, 2025
Whatcom County Council Members, Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive, Donnell Tanksley, Whatcom County Sheriff, IPRTF Members
Dear Whatcom County leadership and community representatives,
As plans for the jail size are being discussed, the Justice System Committee of the Riveters Collective would like some clarity on the decision-making process for determining the size of the new jail.
We have a few questions that we hope can be answered via email and through a town hall:
- Who is making the final decision regarding the number of cells in the jail?
- Is local data being used?
- When is the decision being made about jail size?
- How can the public give input on the jail’s size?
We believe in the human rights of all, jailed or not, and await a jail facility in our county that can detain, respect, and provide support to change the life path of its temporary population. The size of the jail is of utmost importance to us and many in Whatcom County. We do not want an oversized structure filled with unused cells that replace the spaces better suited for common rooms, therapy rooms, classrooms, nor to be filled to occupy the space that are better suited to diversion programs.
The county jail is meant for short term stays. The extended length of stays in recent months and years, due to the bottlenecks in the court system, should not justify a bigger jail. The jail cannot be built to institutionalize the inefficiencies and delays in the court system (i.e. long waits for behavioral health assessments and court dates). Additionally, jail sizing must take into consideration the significant impacts the local diversion programs (i.e. LEAD and GRACE programs, drug courts) have had in reducing the need for jail cells in Whatcom County.
We strongly support the organization of a town hall event, focused on the jail, to allow community members to understand and weigh in on the sizing and features of the jail. If a town hall is planned, please notify the public.
Sincerely,
Justice System Committee, Riveters Collective