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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 5, 2002
| Contact: | Stan
Biles, Mayor of Olympia, 360-753-8447 | | Kevin
O’Sullivan, Thurston County Commissioner, 360-786-5440 | | Don
Krupp, Thurston County Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440 |
WEB SITE
CONTAINS COURTS-JAIL STUDY INFORMATION
OLYMPIA – Governmental jurisdictions in
Thurston County have placed information on the Thurston County Internet site
regarding the recommendations for solutions to jail overcrowding.
The reports came out of more than a year’s worth of study by mayors
of the various cities and towns and the Thurston County Commission Chair.
County Commissioner Kevin O’Sullivan says,
“We are seeking a solution not only for the crowded conditions at the jail,
but the dilapidated infrastructure such as kitchens and showers that were
never intended to handle so many inmates for so long. Another consideration is co-locating some courtrooms and
related criminal justice offices in a new facility which would help keep
operating and transportation costs down.”
Information regarding the potential solution to the above concerns is
contained on the web site.
The Internet information is part of the effort to
get the opinions of the public on the issue, according to Olympia mayor Stan
Biles. “We feel it’s very
important for county residents to be informed on this important issue and for
elected officials to be informed
by
the public. That’s why the web
site allows visitors to post their comments.
In addition, the site contains information to allow citizens to contact
the appropriate officials from their jurisdiction either by phone or
e-mail.”
Overcrowded conditions at the jail have lead to
threats of litigation from the American Civil Liberties Union and the union
that represents corrections workers. A
cooperative effort by the county, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Rainier and
Tenino lead to the recommended solution which was released in December.
The web site contains the recommendation and
other background information and can be reached by visiting www.co.thurston.wa.us
on the World Wide Web.
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