IPRTF - Steering Committee - June 10, 2026

The Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF) Steering Committee met on June 10, 2026, in a hybrid format to discuss the 2026 annual report and the formation of work groups focused on jail population management and criminal justice reforms. Key procurement-related discussions centered on the establishment of work groups tasked with analyzing average daily jail population and average length of stay, with the goal of identifying policies and programs to reduce incarceration rates and operational costs. The committee reviewed draft charters for these work groups, emphasizing the inclusion of diverse stakeholders such as law enforcement representatives, judges, public defenders, behavioral health experts, and individuals with lived incarceration experience. They also discussed funding strategies for justice project implementation plans, including potential use of sales tax proceeds and grant opportunities. The committee agreed on the importance of defining booking restrictions and incorporating victim perspectives through panels, with plans to formalize these efforts in upcoming meetings. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were mentioned, but the discussions highlighted future budget considerations and program funding priorities related to criminal justice and jail operations.