Spokane County against taking Pine Lodge

Spokane County officials say they don’t want to acquire the Pine Lodge Corrections Center at Medical Lake, and it should remain a state prison for women.

State officials are considering closing the prison to save money, and have asked whether local governments want it.

County commissioners recently directed their legislative lobbyist to oppose closure of Pine Lodge.

After a tour Wednesday, County Commission Chairman Mark Richard and Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said the minimum-security facility wouldn’t be suitable as a county jail.