Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force

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Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force

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Official page for Whatcom County's Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF)

Whatcom County's Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force has worked since 2015 to increase resources to address underlying causes of incarceration in order to prevent incarceration outright—and lead people out of the criminal legal system and into supportive services, reducing the chances of re-incarceration. The Task Force is responsible for reviewing Whatcom County’s criminal legal and behavioral health programs and making specific recommendations on evidence-based programs and approaches to safely and effectively reduce incarceration of individuals struggling with mental illness and substance use disorder.

10/26/2026

Join us today, Monday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m. for a meeting of the full Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force!

On the agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Booking Restriction Process
3. Executive Office Justice Project Quarterly Report
4. Review Task Force Priorities, Goals, and Action Plan Updates
5. 2026 Year-End Report: Topics and 2027 Goals
6. Justice Project Implementation Plan Updates
7. Jail Facility Interlocal Agreement
8. Committee and Workgroup Reports and Updates
9. Other Business
10. Public Comment
11. Adjourn

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 816 2011 8348
Passcode: 17783
Phone: 253-215-8782

Learn more about the Task Force and its work: www.whatcomcounty.us/4086

10/19/2026

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, at 9:00 a.m. for a meeting of the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force's Behavioral Health Committee!

The Committee agenda includes a report on Washington State Legislative Priorities from Representative Joe Timmons and a presentation from Evan Steinhilb and Lev Carlisle of Civic Informer.

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 868 1899 7152
Passcode: 17783
Phone: 253-215-8782

Learn more about the Behavioral Health Committee: www.whatcomcounty.us/2354

10/14/2026

Join us this week for Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force Committee meetings:

On Wednesday, October 14 at 1:00 PM, the Steering Committee meets to review plans for the Task Force's 2026 Year-End Report, discuss plans for updating the Justice Project Implementation Plan, discuss Task Force adoption of the Sequential Intercept Map (SIM) Report, and hear from Task Force workgroups.

Learn more: www.whatcomcounty.us/2353

On Thursday, October 15 at 2:00 PM, the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee meets to learn about the new Pathways program at the jail, review the county's 2026 Q3 Progress Report, discuss proposed Justice Project Implementation Plan updates, and discuss priorities for the committee's 2027 Action Plan.

Learn more: www.whatcomcounty.us/4461

09/21/2026

Join us this morning, Monday, September 21, at 9:00 a.m. for a meeting of the full Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force!

Today's agenda includes:
--Finance and Facilities Advisory Board Public Health, Safety, and Justice Tax spending plan update and proposed amendments to the Implementation Plan
--City of Bellingham drug use arrest diversion protocols
--City of Bellingham new health and human services staff
--Review IPRTF priorities, goals, and action plan updates
--INDEX Committee revised goals
--Committee and workgroup reports and updates
--Public Comment

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 839 0959 6568
Passcode: 17783
Phone: 253-215-8782

Learn more about the Task Force and its committees: www.whatcomcounty.us/4086

08/14/2026

Join us next week on Monday, August 17 at 9:00 a.m. for a meeting of the full Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force!

Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Amend the 2026 Annual Report
3. Jail Program Updates/Operational Costs: Recommendation to County Council and Executive
4. Review IPRTF Priorities, Goals, and Action Plan Updates
5. Committee and Workgroup Reports and Updates
6. Other Business
7. Public Comment
8. Adjourn

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 812 7969 8301
Passcode: 17783
Phone: 253-215-8782

Learn more about the Task Force and its committees: www.whatcomcounty.us/4086

07/20/2026

Join us for Task Force and committee meetings this week:

On Monday, July 20 at 9:00 AM, the full Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force meets for a presentation from the Executive's Office about the Justice Project Quarterly Report, a report and discussion regarding STV's Jail Planning Proposal, a report on a Domestic Violence Diversion Pilot Program, and a report on Prosecuting Attorney's Office programs.

On Tuesday, July 21 at 11:30 AM, the Behavioral Health and Legal & Justice Committees meet for a joint meeting to hear reports on the didgʷálič Wellness Center, housing and supportive services in Bellingham, STV's Jail Planning Proposal, and prosecutorial diversion demand for a co-occurring disorders facility.

Both meetings include opportunities for public comment. You can join via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room at 311 Grand Avenue, Ste 105, in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Find Zoom information and more at www.whatcomcounty.us/2188

07/15/2026

Join us tomorrow--Thursday, July 16--at 2 p.m. for a meeting of the Justice Project Oversight & Planning Committee!

Meeting Agenda:
1. Opening
2. Review the County Executive's Quarterly Report on the Justice Project for Q2 2026
3. Updates on Jail and Behavioral Care Center
4. Panel Discussion with Current and Former Residents of Supportive Housing
5. Public Comment

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:
Call-in phone number: 253-205-0468
Meeting ID: 630 468 4778

Learn more about the committee and its work at our website: www.whatcomcounty.us/4461

06/22/2026

Join us today--Monday, June 22--at 9 a.m. for a meeting of the full Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force!

Meeting Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. 2026 IPRTF Annual Report
3. County Council Resolution 2026-018: IPRTF Workgroups
4. Legislative Priorities Workgroup
5. Review IPRTF Priorities, Goals, and Action Plan
6. Committee Updates
7. Other Business
8. Public Comment

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:
Call-in phone number: 253-215-8782
Meeting/Webinar ID: 858 2436 4840
Passcode: 17783

Learn more at our website: www.whatcomcounty.us/4086

06/10/2026

Join us this afternoon--Wednesday, June 10--at 1 p.m. for a meeting of the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force Steering Committee!

Meeting Agenda:

1. 2026 Annual Report
2. County Council Resolution 2026-018: IPRTF Workgroups
3. Crime Victim Perspective
4. Enabling Statutes and IPRTF Membership
5. Annual Legislative Agenda
6. Items for the Next Task Force Agenda

You can join the meeting via Zoom or watch along in the County Council Office Conference Room (Suite 105) at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. *Please note that all committee members will be participating via Zoom.

Zoom Info:

Call-in phone number: 253-215-8782
Meeting/Webinar ID: 876 9818 8322
Passcode: 17783

Learn more at our website: www.whatcomcounty.us/2353

05/18/2026

Join us for Task Force and committee meetings this week:

On Monday, May 18 at 9:00 AM, the full Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force meets to review the 2026 IPRTF Annual Report, discuss jail planning, review IPRTF goals, priorities, and enabling statutes.

Learn more about the Task Force: www.whatcomcounty.us/2188

On Thursday, May 21 at 2:00 PM, the Justice Project Oversight & Planning Committee will receive updates on planning and community engagement around the new jail and behavioral care center, review the draft 2026 IPRTF Annual Report, and participate in a panel discussion with supportive housing specialists.

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

On Friday, May 22 at 11:00 AM, the Legal & Justice Committee will hold a regular meeting--agenda coming soon!

Learn more about the Legal & Justice Systems Committee: www.whatcomcounty.us/2355

Address

311 Grand Avenue , Suite 105
Bellingham, WA
98225

Telephone

+13607785010

Website

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/2052/Incarceration-Prevention-and-Reduction-T

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