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 physical courtrooms and options for virtual courtrooms at the jail as well," said Tammy, a representative from Bellingham municipal court, citing recent arraignment rules that require smaller cities to have access to arraignments within three days.

Why it matters: Committee members said the county is facing near-term operational strain and a looming increase in public defense workload driven by new caseload standards and changes to arraignment timelines. The group warned that building a facility without accounting for operating costs — extra clerks, transport deputies and supervisory court staff — will produce long-term problems.

Most speakers said two courtrooms would be the minimum acceptable option in design discussions; several argued a third courtroom would allow pretrial evidentiary hearings to proceed without displacing first appearances and arraignments. "It would make sense to have a courtroom that could be used for pretrial hearings for folks that are in custody," said Maya, who spoke from the defense perspective. She added that jury trials would likely remain at the downtown courthouse and that pretrial matters could be done in a jail courtroom if space exists.

Speakers repeatedly urged that the county include IT and facilities staff in upcoming planning meetings so the new design supports remote interpretation, Zoom access and secure breakout rooms where defense counsel can meet confidentially with clients. Caleb, a staff member supporting facilities and data, said jurisdictions use a variety of technological solutions but warned "very few places do it exactly alike."

Several participants raised concerns that using remote hearings by default can undermine attorney-client work and the defendant’s experience. "We have really strong feelings against remote proceedings. They dehumanize our clients," said Maya, adding that some clients with mental-health needs do poorly on video platforms.

Operational trade-offs were also discussed. Barry, who spoke about staffing and transport logistics, said current staffing levels for transport would not support moving more people to downtown courts and estimated that staffing needs could "probably triple" from present levels if transports increase. Planners noted that building costs are only part of the long-term expense; operating the facility with added staff and IT will increase annual budgets.

The committee closed the agenda item by agreeing to schedule a follow-up roundtable that includes IT and facilities staff. "Barry and Caleb, we can figure out a date and time for the next roundtable meeting and make sure that when we schedule it that we also have IT and facilities there," Jill said, identifying that as the next step.

The discussion referenced prior stakeholder meetings in May when participants from municipalities, district and superior courts, defense and prosecution sketched current weekly calendars; speakers recommended repeating that multi-stakeholder format as designers begin to draw plans.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to prepare sketches of calendar scenarios and price points for two- and three-courtroom options, and to return with more detailed staffing and transport estimates at a future meeting.