City Council calls for equity in criminal justice reform

To the extent that it has power over the criminal justice system, the Spokane City Council called Monday for it to be applied equitably.

The council adopted a resolution on Monday that lays out a template for criminal justice reform, which it states should embrace racial equity and prioritize rehabilitation and diversion from jail whenever possible.

The goals outlined in the resolution are based on the guidance issued earlier this year by Spokane County’s Justice Task Force, which was formed with representation from myriad community stakeholders to address criminal justice reform.

Although nonbinding, the resolution does broadly establish goals for both the city of Spokane and Spokane County.

Council President Breean Beggs said the reform model would help create a criminal justice system that “saves money, reduces crime, increases equity and reclaims lives.”

The council adopted the resolution by a 6-to-1 vote; Councilman Michael Cathcart was the only member to vote against the resolution.

The resolution calls for defendants awaiting pretrial to be released and people diverted from jail sentences where possible, and for investment in community resources like behavioral health and housing.

It also commits to the use of “data-driven and evidence-based reforms with the goal of reducing crime, decreasing the use of taxpayer dollars, and increasing community safety.”

The resolution calls for jail conditions to be safe and humane.

In the pursuit of those reforms, the city commits to racial equity and equity “across all identities,” the resolution states.

Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell has balked at the inclusion of racial equity in the county’s goals for criminal justice reform, telling the Spokane County Board of Commissioners – which is also considering the proposed reform template – that implementing it could “adjust the scales” of justice.

Cathcart expressed concern the resolution states “pre-trial incarceration beyond the ‘least restrictive conditions’” actually “undermines public safety.” Cathcart said the language failed to acknowledge other elements, such as the likelihood a defendant released before trial would commit a violent crime.

Councilwoman Betsy Wilkerson said judges already consider such factors. She endorsed the resolution, saying it is “reasonable and prudent that we look at the equity lens in our criminal justice system.”