Efforts to expand and renew the Clark County Jail should generate strong public support. While proposed costs might cause sticker shock among taxpayers, the need is clearly justifiable.
As The Columbian has written editorially: “If a jail is unsafe for inmates and poorly serves their needs, it also is unsafe for deputies who work there. And that should be of concern for taxpayers who pay the social and economic costs associated with an inadequate jail. Having appropriate space and services is not a matter of creating a country-club experience for inmates, despite public opinion that often embraces that trope; it is a matter of creating an acceptable work space for deputies and reducing recidivism. In the process, it speaks to our values as a community.”
That was in 2018, and the issue remains a crucial one for residents, law enforcement and the jurisprudence system. That highlights the importance of a Clark County Council work session last week to discuss the aged, dilapidated facility.
“I think it behooves us to put forward what we believe is the real need,” Council Chair Sue Marshall said. “There’s been multiple attempts at this that have somehow stalled at the last minute, and I think all along we felt we’ve got one shot at this and we need to make the most of it. I would be for doing the full build-out, because I think that’s what we need.”
The jail, which was built in the 1980s, has a capacity of 491 beds. A 2017 report by consultant DLR Group suggested that the facility will require as much as 1,200 beds by 2036, and that much of the interior needs to be replaced — including plumbing and electrical systems.
This is predictable; since the jail opened in 1984, Clark County’s population has nearly tripled, leading to a need for more capacity. And the age of the site has led to a need for improvements.
As Clark County Councilor Matt Little said last week: “Even though it’s run very well, it’s a space that’s not conducive to healing or treatment. It feels claustrophobic. It needs work. It’s an emergency.”
Despite that, it is difficult to generate public support for an expensive expansion. As The Columbian has written editorially: “Those incarcerated in the Clark County Jail likely landed there through their own actions, meaning that complaints about safety or overcrowding or a lack of services often are regarded as the price one pays for endangering the public.”
That explains why taxpayers should view the issue from a different perspective. Rather than worrying about the conditions for incarcerated people, imagine having a family member who works there. Imagine the tension created by overcrowded conditions and outdated plumbing and electrical systems. Imagine trying to recruit qualified workers to a dilapidated facility.
Most important, taxpayers should consider the ongoing cost of operating a jail that is “not conducive to healing or treatment.” Appropriate conditions and services are essential to reducing recidivism and reducing costs.
During last week’s meeting, councilors were presented with two proposals — one that would renovate the existing facility and one that would expand its footprint at the downtown Vancouver location. The smaller project would cost an estimated $330 million; the larger one would cost approximately $472 million and would take an extra year to complete. County officials warn that the smaller project would require additional work in the future.
Either way, quick and thoughtful action by the councilors is necessary — as is input and support from the public.
