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Whatcom County committee reviews trauma‑informed jail and behavioral care center design ideas
Summary
County corrections staff and outside visitors described direct supervision, biophilic design and colocated services as features for a new jail and a voluntary Behavioral Care Center; committee discussed staffing, service delivery and next steps for community engagement and owner’s‑rep coordination.
Whatcom County corrections leaders and consultants on Jan. 16 described design features they say can reduce harm and improve outcomes for people in custody while flagging staffing and service‑delivery questions that will affect planning.
At the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee meeting, Chief Corrections Deputy Caleb Erickson reviewed site visits to Franklin County, Ohio; Davidson County, Tennessee (Nashville); Middlesex County, Massachusetts; and regional facilities and summarized design elements the sheriff’s office is considering for a replacement jail and a Behavioral Care Center (BCC). “Safety and security is really kind of a foundational element for all carceral facilities,” Erickson said, adding that the county should aim to reduce the operational burden on staff where possible.
Erickson said the office is considering direct supervision — placing deputies inside housing units — and a horizontal building plan that reduces elevator use, with mezzanines for additional capacity. He described trauma‑informed and biophilic elements seen on tours:…
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