Closure of jail adds to problem of overcrowding

BELLINGHAM — Officials say the recent closure of a privately run minimum-security jail facility will have little financial impact on taxpayers but it could make the county's crowded jails even more cramped.

Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo relocated 47 inmates from the Security Specialists Plus (SSP) facility on Baker Creek Place in early November after allegations of sexual contact between an employee and inmate.

Elfo suggested that the county not renew its approximately $500,000 annual contract with SSP, whose employees have been cited in the past for misconduct, including smuggling contraband and stealing from prisoners.

Elfo and county Jail Chief Wendy Jones said the county's interim jail had enough room to absorb the new inmates, since bookings naturally tend to dip this time of year as judges are more lenient and more police officers are on vacation during the holidays. But both acknowledge that closing the facility could worsen the jail-crowding problems that have plagued the county.

"We knew as the population continued to grow, we were going to have to look at additional space," Jones said. "This just moved that timetable forward."

Elfo said he was exploring several options to deal with the problem until a new jail facility is finished in about 2014.

Jones said the county already pays a fixed amount to run the interim jail. So the county can now keep the approximately $35 per inmate per day that was paid to SSP to house inmates.

The woman whose actions caused the ruckus, Tammra J. Baechler, 35, of Sumas, pleaded guilty to custodial misconduct Nov. 29 and was given an 18-month deferred sentence and required to perform community service, according to court records.

Baechler had been having consensual sexual contact with a 38-year-old female inmate from Ferndale.

SSP owner Greg Rustand said word of the county's action concerning his company was "like getting kicked in the stomach."

He said his company had worked to improve its facility and hiring practices after previous incidents.