FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2001

Thurston-Grays Harbor County Commissioners Seek
Public Input on Violent Sex Offender Housing Issue.

OLYMPIA – Two joint meetings have been set to take public comment on state plans to house violent sex offenders in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties.  Commissioners from the two counties will be in attendance at both meetings. 

According to the State Department of Corrections, up to three violent offenders could be placed in transitional housing in Thurston, Grays Harbor and 11 other counties.  The state is under court order to find such housing for offenders who are apparently responding to treatment at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.

However, Thurston County Commissioner Chair Kevin O’Sullivan says the state needs to consider other locations, away from members of the community.  “We have great concerns about the welfare of county residents and how that might be affected by the presence of these offenders.  The legislature needs to address this issue again to see if placing the housing on state lands is a more appropriate solution.  The reason the offenders were at the Special Commitment Center in the first place is because criminal justice experts determined they were very likely to commit future crimes.  We have to take steps to ensure that citizens are protected from any such offenses.”

The first of two public meetings on the issue is set for 6 o’clock on Monday, October 29^th at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse at 100 West Broadway in Montesano.  A second meeting will take place Monday, November 5^th, also at 6 PM, at the Thurston County Courthouse (room 280) at 2000 Lakeridge Drive in Olympia.