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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Two public forums planned to discuss Spokane County Jail

The grounds of the Geiger Correctional Facility, shown in February 2019, could become home to temporary structures that would expand jail capacity in Spokane County. (Libby Kamrowski / The Spokesman-Review)

Members of the public will have opportunities to share ideas and concerns about the Spokane County Jail at two public forums this month.

The Vera Institute of Justice, a New York-based nonprofit, and Maggie Yates, the county’s criminal justice administrator, will host the two-hour informational sessions.

“This is part of a broader effort to inform and develop recommendations regarding the future of the Spokane County Jail facility,” they said in an announcement.

The first session will take place May 20 at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Ave., and the second will take place May 21 at Spokane’s Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. Both begin at 5:30 p.m.

Some local officials have mulled whether the county needs additional jail space, while some argue jail crowding should be alleviated by curbing or eliminating the use of cash bail to keep people incarcerated before trial.