Bellingham police report stark decline in SCORE bookings after jail restriction changes

The Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF) meeting held on March 31, 2025, in Whatcom County, Washington, focused on the current state of jail operations and the impact of recent changes in booking restrictions. The meeting began with an acknowledgment that representatives from the sheriff's department were unavailable due to ongoing jail planning activities.

Jay, a key speaker, provided a historical overview of the county's involvement with SCORE (South Correctional Entity), a facility located south of SeaTac. He explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, strict booking restrictions were implemented, allowing only violent felonies and certain gross misdemeanors to be booked. This led to a significant backlog of non-violent offenses, such as trespassing and malicious mischief, which were often addressed with citations rather than arrests.

As a result, the county entered into a contract with SCORE to manage these misdemeanors. Initially, the county utilized SCORE frequently, averaging three to four bookings per month. However, following the lifting of booking restrictions on February 1, 2025, the number of individuals booked into SCORE drastically decreased to just one booking every two months. Jay emphasized the logistical challenges and costs associated with transporting inmates to SCORE, which is located two and a half hours away.

The discussion also highlighted a recent trend where SCORE has begun notifying Whatcom County law enforcement of individuals with outstanding warrants from Bellingham, allowing for the resolution of these cases. However, this has also resulted in increased costs for the county as they confirm these warrants.

Several task force members raised questions regarding the current state of jail capacity and the potential for future collaborations with other facilities, such as Yakima and Skagit County. Jay noted that there have been no recent discussions about alternative facilities since SCORE has alleviated some of the previous challenges.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the complexities surrounding jail operations, including the need for mental health services and the financial implications of increased bookings. Task force members expressed a desire for further discussions on how to manage these changes effectively and ensure that the community's safety and budgetary concerns are addressed.