Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is set to propose an agreement that would allow the city to use the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) in Des Moines to temporarily house individuals arrested on misdemeanor charges. This move comes in response to pressure from the Seattle Police Department and other leaders who are facing booking restrictions at the downtown jail near City Hall. By utilizing SCORE, which is operated by cities in south Puget Sound, Seattle is venturing into new territory as it has historically relied on jails run by King County. The agreement is intended to be a temporary solution while the city works with the county to open up additional space in its downtown Seattle and Kent jails.
The decision to use SCORE has sparked debate due to the facility’s reputation, which has been marred by deaths of incarcerated individuals and reports of poor conditions. Despite these concerns, the city sees the use of SCORE as a necessary step to address the rise in public disorder and criminal activity in downtown Seattle and surrounding areas. City Attorney Ann Davison has emphasized the importance of providing consequences for criminal behavior and restoring trust in the criminal justice system.
While the proposal to expand into SCORE has faced logistical challenges, including concerns about transporting detainees and access to legal representation, the city is moving forward with plans to increase bed capacity. The goal is to add around 40 beds at SCORE, bringing the total number of available beds to just over 100 across the region. However, this is still significantly lower than the pre-pandemic capacity of 200 beds.
In addition to expanding into SCORE, the city is also renegotiating its agreement with King County for the use of its downtown jail. The current agreement, which runs through 2030, has been limited to violent crimes, domestic violence, and DUIs since the onset of the pandemic. This has resulted in a backlog of nonviolent misdemeanor cases, prompting the need for alternative solutions to address the rising crime rates.
Despite the challenges and concerns surrounding the use of SCORE, city officials are committed to addressing the immediate need for additional jail space. The proposed agreement will be subject to ongoing review and discussions to ensure that all operational and logistical questions are addressed before implementation. While some stakeholders have raised objections to the plan, others believe that it is essential to uphold public safety and provide consequences for criminal behavior.
As the city grapples with the complex issue of expanding jail capacity, the focus remains on finding a balance between addressing the immediate need for space and ensuring that individuals in custody are treated humanely and have access to proper legal representation. The ongoing negotiations with King County and the decision to utilize SCORE represent the city’s commitment to tackling the root causes of crime and improving safety outcomes for the community.
