MOUNT VERNON — An 27-year-old inmate was transported to the Skagit Valley Hospital and is undergoing surgery on his spleen after he was beaten in the Skagit County Jail Thursday, according to the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office.

Another inmate was trying to take prescription medication from the La Conner man. When the La Conner man didn’t give it up, the other inmate attacked the victim, Chief Criminal Deputy Will Reichardt said.
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And this kind of thing will only continue and get worse until the overcrowding and understaffing are relieved.  When you stuff a building full of the worst of the worst because that’s all you have room for, without enough people to manage them adequately and safely, this becomes the norm.  Like it or not, for the safety of the public, the nonviolent criminals, and the jail staff, we have to support a new jail system here, and soon.  I’d really like to see the officials who are trying to use the new jail plans to get things they want for the city and county make unannounced visits to the jail to see for themselves how dangerous it is getting.  Not a scheduled tour with all the warts covered up and extra staff on hand, but a real working shift.  There is a huge need for a safe jail, not just an opportunity for more parking or for access roads.  Make it a priority before a tragedy happens.

noodles nailed it. It’s a dangerous place and we need to make it safer for the staff also. Someone is gonna get super hurt someday and the this county will make the news again.

noodles - 03 October 2008 06:46 PM

And this kind of thing will only continue and get worse until the overcrowding and understaffing are relieved.  When you stuff a building full of the worst of the worst because that’s all you have room for, without enough people to manage them adequately and safely, this becomes the norm.  Like it or not, for the safety of the public, the nonviolent criminals, and the jail staff, we have to support a new jail system here, and soon. 

We need to look at some altenate plan though. We need some kind of holding facility for non violent offenders. Convert a warehouse somewhere or how about the old Wal Mart store, lots of room in there. Why do we have to spend all that money for some glitzy courthouse look alike and put it right downtown where it’s the first thing anybody sees coming into town.