OLYMPIA – A bill addressing Washington state’s jail system crisis was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday.
SB 6189, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), proposes the creation of the Jail Oversight Board within the Office of the Governor to ensure transparency, independent oversight, and reform toward a more rehabilitative jail system. The Board would meet quarterly and administer a statewide uniform jail reporting system.
In 2022, more than 130,000 people entered Washington jails, yet there is little to no information on what happens to them once they get there. Meanwhile, Washington state’s jail death rate nearly tripled between 2000 and 2019, outpacing the national average 16 times over. Washington currently lacks a statewide office dedicated to monitoring jails and providing information on those incarcerated.
“This bill will redefine how we navigate our jails, fostering safety and a renewed focus on rehabilitation,” Saldaña said. “It is about introducing transparency, accountability, and a humane perspective to incarceration. We need a justice system that not only holds people accountable but believes in their safety and supports their journey toward a fair trial and justice.”
Key duties of the Jail Oversight Board would include monitoring jails, publishing reports, participating in fatality review teams, investigating systemic issues, providing technical assistance and submitting an annual report.
Follow the bill’s progress here.
