Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force

Led by the efforts of the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee, Whatcom County launched a new data tracking site to share currently available data related to the Justice Project, the voter-approved initiative to reshape our community’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems.

The site presents data and reports from a variety of sources with a nexus to the county’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems, including the Anne Deacon Center for Hope Crisis Triage Center, the Sheriff’s Office, and various diversion programs operating in the county.

Tawsha Thompson, Co-Chair of the JPOP Committee, stressed that reliable and accessible data is essential to the success of the Justice Project. She said, "Data allows us to better understand current outcomes, identify disparities, measure progress, and guide meaningful, evidence-based improvements tailored to our community."

The new data tracking site compiles the most relevant data available now in an easy-to-access format while Whatcom County continues its work to develop a comprehensive data dashboard.

Justice Project Data Tracking Site: www.whatcomcounty.us/4769

Looking for ways to get involved in the Justice Project?

Whatcom County is moving forward with design and construction of new justice facilities including a Behavioral Care Center and a New Jail and is on track to cut the ribbon on both facilities in 2028.

You can get involved in the process by:

- Attending or speaking at a Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee meeting (https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4322/Justice-Project-Oversight-and-Planning-J)

- Attending or speaking at a Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force meeting (https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4086/Incarceration-Prevention-Reduction-Task-)

- Signing up for monthly email updates on the Justice Project (https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4666/Justice-Project)

- Sending your thoughts directly to your elected officials via email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, November 20 at 2 p.m. for a meeting of the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee!

Agenda:
--Debrief October presentation/panel about closing gaps at re-entry
--Presentation and discussion of racial disparities in incarceration
--Review summary of the County Executive's 2025 Quarter 3 Report
--Provide feedback on the IPRTF Year-End Report
--Develop 2026 JPOP Committee action plan and brainstorm about future panel discussions

All JPOP Committee meetings take place on Zoom. If you need a place with a computer where you can watch along and participate, you can use the Council Conference Room in the County Courthouse at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 105, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Learn more about the JPOP Committee: www.whatcomcounty.us/4461