Whatcom County task force debates courtroom count, staffing and IT needs for new jail facility

Members of the Incarceration Prevention Reduction Task Force legal and justice systems committee debated courtroom design, staffing and technology needs for a proposed new jail facility during their Aug. 12 meeting.

Committee members and court staff said existing courtroom space at the jail is heavily used and causes late starts and overtime; several participants urged planners to weigh adding a third courtroom. "Ideally, I honestly think that there needs to be 3 courtrooms," said Jill, a committee staff member who led the discussion. "We can't really tell people in the jail that we're sorry. We know you have a right to a hearing, but we have to stop this because we don't have the money and the budget for overtime or we don't have the courtroom space in the jail."

The conversation focused on three problems: calendar pressure that delays first appearances, logistical burdens and staff costs from transporting people to downtown courthouses, and gaps in space and technology for confidential attorney-client meetings and interpretation. "We need at least 3…