City’s Public Safety, Human Services & Education Committee Reviews Proposed Jail Services Agreement

Tacoma, Wash. -- With the goal of achieving more efficient, effective and fiscally sustainable jail services solutions, the City of Tacoma’s Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee is reviewing and recommending four separate jail services agreements for full City Council consideration.

“Public safety continues to be a top priority for the City of Tacoma,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland, who serves on the board of the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee. “We are pleased to review these proposed agreements, and expect to work closely with our partners to ensure a smooth and orderly transition should we decide to move forward.”

The proposed agreements include an amendment which would extend the City of Tacoma’s current contract with the City of Fife to the end of June; a new agreement with Pierce County for the housing and transport of pre-sentenced inmates; a new agreement with the Nisqually Tribe for the housing of sentenced inmates as well as transport services between the jail facilities and the courts; and a new agreement with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) for interim booking and pre-trial jail services as the Pierce County Jail expands its capacity.

“These proposed agreements represent the City of Tacoma’s readiness to take the steps necessary to ensure – with the support and cooperation of its partners – the safety of Tacoma’s residents, businesses and visitors,” said Council Member Victoria Woodards, chairwoman of the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee.

Working closely with Pierce County to address staffing shortages at the Pierce County Jail, the City of Tacoma’s proposed contract would keep as many pre-sentenced inmates in Pierce County as possible. If approved by the City Council, Pierce County would be able to increase its jail capacity while the inmate count at SCORE is reduced over a period of time. It is anticipated that, by Oct. 1, 2015, the Pierce County Jail would have the capacity to house as many as 75 pre-sentenced Tacoma inmates.

“Keeping as many pre-sentenced inmates in the Pierce County Jail as possible allows the Tacoma Municipal Court system to be most efficient and we greatly appreciate the mutual understanding, cooperation and support extended to us by our partners,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. 

The City of Fife currently handles booking and jail services coordination, as well as jail transport services, for the City of Tacoma. The City of Fife provides to the City of Tacoma, at a mark-up, space it has secured in other jails when its own jail is at capacity. 

“By proposing direct agreements with jail services providers – as well as central oversight once the City of Tacoma assumes responsibility for the coordination of jail services for Tacoma misdemeanants – we are looking at a better, more streamlined system as well as savings through the end of the 2015-2016 biennium,” said Broadnax. 

The City of Tacoma will continue to maintain a separate agreement with the City of Fife for the provision of electronic home monitoring services. That contract expires on Dec. 31, 2015.