Translate
Jail Planning and Operations Performance Audit
December 7, 2010
Jail costs are continuing to rise while the inmate population has declined substantially. At the same time, the county is at risk of losing revenue if cities continue to reduce their use of the county’s excess jail beds. Our report indicates how this risk can be mitigated, and how the county can increase its revenues and lessen the burden on county taxpayers, if the goal of reducing jail costs can be achieved.
Options contained in this report have a wide range of potential cost impacts in the millions of dollars, achieved through operational efficiencies and additional jail revenue. We identify a range of options to explore to achieve substantial cost savings, and we encourage jail management and staff to offer other ideas.
The key recommendation of this report envisions collaboration of county policymakers and leadership, and continued engagement with the cities of King County to provide affordable inmate housing in the county’s jails. Overall, the audit suggests that a comprehensive strategic and financial plan for jails is needed to ensure the county is managing the jails in an operationally sound and financially sustainable manner. Such a plan should provide a range of alternatives to consider as well as estimates of their potential fiscal impacts.
Audit Highlights
Jail costs are continuing to rise while the inmate population has declined substantially. At the same time, the county is at risk of losing $19 million in revenue annually if cities continue to reduce their use of the county's excess jail beds. Our report indicates how this risk can be mitigated, and how the county can increase its revenues and lessen the burden on county taxpayers, if the goal of reducing jail costs can be achieved. Options contained in this report have a wide range of potential cost impacts in the millions of dollars, achieved through operational efficiencies and additional jail revenue. We identify a range of options to explore to achieve substantial cost savings, and we encourage jail management and staff to offer other ideas.
Jail costs are continuing to rise while the inmate population has declined substantially. At the same time, the county is at risk of losing $19 million in revenue annually if cities continue to reduce their use of the county's excess jail beds. Our report indicates how this risk can be mitigated, and how the county can increase its revenues and lessen the burden on county taxpayers, if the goal of reducing jail costs can be achieved. Options contained in this report have a wide range of potential cost impacts in the millions of dollars, achieved through operational efficiencies and additional jail revenue. We identify a range of options to explore to achieve substantial cost savings, and we encourage jail management and staff to offer other ideas.
Jail costs are continuing to rise while the inmate population has declined substantially. At the same time, the county is at risk of losing $19 million in revenue annually if cities continue to reduce their use of the county's excess jail beds. Our report indicates how this risk can be mitigated, and how the county can increase its revenues and lessen the burden on county taxpayers, if the goal of reducing jail costs can be achieved. Options contained in this report have a wide range of potential cost impacts in the millions of dollars, achieved through operational efficiencies and additional jail revenue. We identify a range of options to explore to achieve substantial cost savings, and we encourage jail management and staff to offer other ideas.