WHATCOM WILL HAVE A NEW JAIL – THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS BROKEN; DESTROYS CITIZENS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
CAN WE ENVISION SOMETHING HUMANE?
Some current facts:
- Whatcom County spends 57% of its budget (general fund) on Law and Justice
- 40% of the jail population have less than 2nd grade education
- 80% of the jail population are incarcerated for non violent offenses
- 2/3 of the jail population have a mental illness.
- There are 90 border guards in Sumas each earning $150,000/year
The County is contemplating a 700 bed facility on 40 acres on the outskirts if Ferndale. The mayor of Ferndale was heard to say “You will never see an inmate”
When private companies offer states/counties/municipalities to buy their prison they demand a 90% occupancy rate.
Our current prison system amounts to modern slavery.
Read an article by Chris Hedges HERE about neo-slavery in our prisons.
He is not afraid to speak the truth.
The local non-profit ReEntry Coalition is working to offer alternatives to this broken system. Click here to find out more about this organization and how you can help.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
