Some sex offenders may return to home counties, but where?

OLYMPIA – State officials are searching Snohomish County for housing for convicted sex offenders who have served their sentences and who are eligible for release from a McNeil Island, Pierce County detention center.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will receive US $ 6 million in the next investment budget for the location and design of a safe transition facility for the community, in which 24 people who are considered to be “sexually violent predators” after their completion Detention would live under close supervision on the island.

It will take several years for someone from the Special Obligation Center to arrive as additional dollars are needed to actually build a new building or renovate an existing one, agency officials said.

But they have notified the area’s state lawmakers and other elected officials and will eventually hold a town hall to answer questions and concerns from the county’s residents.

“We want to be as transparent as possible without scaring people unnecessarily,” said Dave Flynn, chief executive officer of the Special Commitment Center.

Most of the citizen leaders reached shared a desire for public safety to drive the agency’s decision-making process.

“The safety of our residents is a top priority for Snohomish County,” said Josh Dugan, district chief of staff Dave Somers. “Although the state has not made any location or location decisions, we will continue to work to ensure that no new risks are added to our communities and that each facility is placed in a location that is easily accessible to law enforcement.”

Under a 1990 law known as the Community Protection Act, sex offenders who have served their criminal sentences but are judged to be “sexually violent predators” by a court can be incarcerated indefinitely at the McNeil Island Center. While in detention, people are given advice and treatment there and can at any time apply to a court to be released in a less restrictive alternative accommodation, such as a supervised facility in the community.

The country is looking for more alternative beds as the number of people entitled to leave the country increases. And she wants the DSHS to run the living quarters instead of subcontracting to private homeowners, as is the case now in some counties, including Snohomish.

According to another state law, the convicted offenders should, if possible, be returned to the district in which they were convicted. Unsurprisingly, most are from the most populous counties of King (69), Pierce (40), and Snohomish (22). The state is also considering safe facilities for Clark and Spokane Counties.

Snohomish County Attorney Adam Cornell, one of those who learned about the company, said it was important that the DSHS be careful in its decision to ensure that any selected location “does not compromise the safety and quality of life of our community “.

“We now have a state prison in Monroe,” he said. “We don’t want to see any disproportionate effects on one or the other district.”

What is being proposed in Snohomish County would be the state’s third safe interim facility. In addition to the Special Commitment Center, the state now operates one on McNeil Island with 24 beds and one in south Seattle with 12 beds.

In addition, the state is signing contracts with two privately owned homes in Snohomish County, which house a total of six sex offenders under 24-hour supervision.

A safe transition facility for the community is staffed and operated by the Ministry of Social and Health Services. Although it is a residential area, the building would be locked and monitored around the clock. Residents would be under the direct supervision of a government employee when they go to the community.

The people living there would provide counseling through their civil engagement on McNeil Island, participate in a sex offender treatment program, and have access to services to help them transition out of prison and into full custody.

“Resigning is in the best interests of many residents,” said Flynn.

Officials know that finding a location in Snohomish County will not be easy given widespread opposition to such facilities.

While the department’s budget request described a space large enough for 16 to 24 people, Flynn said they had an eye on a location for 8 to 12 people.

While the consultants work to identify potential properties, Flynn will focus on informing ombudsmen and local residents of the proposed plans and responding to concerns.

One of the issues is certainly security. In an interview, he noted that there had been no law enforcement calls at the King County facility in two decades of operation.

Another topic will be the wider benefits to the community and convicted offenders.

“Some people never receive treatment and are discharged unconditionally,” said Flynn. “Instead, they will be under the control of the state.”

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: [email protected]; @dospueblos