County officials explore weekend court sessions to reduce jail overcrowding

The Spokane County Strategic Planning Meeting held on March 17, 2025, focused on addressing the challenges and strategies related to the county's jail population and operations. The meeting began with discussions on the current status of the U.S. Marshals' population in the county jail, which has decreased from 130 to approximately 60. Officials noted that while this reduction is beneficial, it has led to increased movement of inmates, with transfers occurring five days a week. This frequent movement has implications for the booking area and overall jail capacity.

The conversation shifted to the potential for implementing short-term solutions to manage jail space more effectively. One proposal discussed was the possibility of establishing evening or weekend court sessions to expedite the processing of inmates who are awaiting their first appearances. This could help reduce the number of individuals held over weekends, as many are currently detained until their hearings on Mondays.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the need for collaboration with the prosecuting attorney's office to revive the Early Case Resolution (ECR) program, which aims to streamline case processing and potentially free up jail space. The ECR program had previously been successful in reducing the backlog of cases and was modeled after effective practices observed in other jurisdictions.

The discussion also included the challenges faced by the work release program, which has seen a decline in eligible inmates. Currently, only a small number of inmates are participating in work crews, limiting the program's effectiveness. Officials expressed interest in exploring partnerships with local agencies to enhance the work release program, particularly in areas such as environmental cleanup.

Throughout the meeting, concerns were raised about the overall jail population trends, which had shown an unexpected increase earlier in the year. This trend prompted discussions on the need for ongoing monitoring and potential adjustments to municipal contracts to ensure adequate space for all jurisdictions involved.

In conclusion, the Spokane County Strategic Planning Meeting highlighted the pressing issues surrounding jail management, the need for innovative solutions, and the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to address the challenges effectively. The next steps will involve further discussions with the courts and the prosecuting attorney's office to implement the proposed strategies and monitor the evolving situation.