Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force

Task Force Calendar 

Reports and Information

Some of these documents are large files that take time to download and open
  • Phase I Report and Report Addendum, February 2016
  • Phase II Report, October 2016
  • Initial Phase III Report, July 2017
  • Vera Institute of Justice Preliminary Data Report, July 2017
  • Task Force member responses to draft version of Vera Institute report, various, November 2017
  • Vera Institute of Justice Final Report with Draft Task Force Introduction, November 2017
  • Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force Final Phase III Report, December 2017

Members


The Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force has 24 members.  


The 11 appointed members include:
  • Stephen Gockley, Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement (WAHA) representative
  • Chris Phillips, Peace Health St. Joseph's Medical Center representative
  • Vacant, Unity Care Northwest, Representative of a Community Health Center [Must be a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)] 
  • Jerry DeBruin, Fire District 14 Chief, Emergency medical services (EMS) representative
  • Greg Winter, Community action agency representative, mental health provider, or substance abuse treatment provider (1)
  • Byron Manering,Community action agency representative, mental health provider, or substance abuse treatment provider (2)
  • Moonwater, Community action agency representative, mental health provider, or substance abuse treatment provider (3)
  • Jack Hovenier - Task Force Co-Chair, Consumer of services or family member of consumer (1)
  • Deborah Hawley, Consumer of services or family member of consumer (2)
  • Jill Bernstein - Task Force Co-Chair, Concerned citizen (1)
  • Vacant, Concerned citizen (2)
In addition, 13 permanent members include:
  • Tyler Schroeder, County Executive Representative
  • Todd Donovan, County Council
  • Bill Elfo, County Sheriff
  • Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney
  • Angela Anderson, Public Defender Representative
  • Deborra Garrett, Superior Court Judge, Superior Court or District Court
  • Daniel Hammill, Bellingham City Council Member
  • Kelli Linville, Bellingham Mayor or representative
  • Darlene Peterson, Bellingham City Attorney, Municipal Court, or Police
  • Raylene King, Blaine Court Administrator, Small Cities 
  • Travis Brockie, Lummi Business Council Member, Tribes
  • Anne Deacon, Health Department, Human Services Division
  • Betsy Kruse, North Sound Mental Health Administration Deputy Director

Additional Information


Vacancies


Term Limit


There are no term limits

Term Length


Terms are 4 years. (Initial Appointments: 5 positions are for 2-year terms and 6 positions are for 4-year terms)

Purpose


The purpose of the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force is to continually review Whatcom County’s criminal justice and behavioral health programs and make specific recommendations to safely and effectively reduce incarceration of individuals struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency, and minimize jail utilization by pretrial defendants who can safely be released.

Authority


Additional Information