Implementation Plan

Whatcom County Council approved Resolution 2023-006 on February 21, 2023, accepting the final Justice Project Needs Assessment report and confirming the next steps to develop an Implementation Plan. The County Executive will lead the development of an Implementation Plan that will include:

  • Analysis of potential facilities concepts, including location options and planning level costs, 
  • Identification of a site and concept for the main jail and service facilities in the community, 
  • Proposed services and systems efforts and their costs, 
  • Identification of county departments, community leaders, and organizations to lead implementation of the recommendations, and
  • A funding approach, including but not limited to elements to be funded through a proposed ballot measure.

The Implementation Plan will be developed through workshops with the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF), county staff, and key stakeholders. Opportunities for feedback will include focus groups with priority audiences and a town hall event for the general public. 

Click here to view a short video (12 min.) about the Justice Project Implementation Plan background and overview. 

Upcoming Events:

Workshops:

The following workshops will take place as special meetings of the IPRTF with additional attendance by key stakeholders. 

  • Workshop #1, Systems
    Thursday, March 9, 2023: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Workshop #2, Services
    Friday, March 17, 2023; 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

  • Workshop #3, Facilities, community-based facilities for housing, behavioral health services, etc.
    Thursday, March 23, 2023; 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Workshop #4: Jail and accessory services
    Thursday, March 30, 2023; 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Workshop #5: Funding
    Thursday, April 6, 2023; 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

For more information, including agendas, public zoom join links, and more, please visit the IPRTF Meeting webpage.

Public Participation

Focus Groups

Focus Groups will be conducted with priority audiences in April to get feedback on draft elements of the Implementation Plan. Priority audiences include people with lived experience in the criminal legal system and their family members, Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, and BIPOC community members.

Town Hall - Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Elements of the draft Implementation Plan will be shared with the public for feedback at a Town Hall Event on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Members of the public can attend in person in the County Council Chambers, County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225. Online participation will also be available, and details on how to join remotely will be provided soon. 

Additional Opportunities for Information and Feedback