Sharing is Caring: Constantine and McGinn Reach Agreement About King County Jail

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Mike McGinn announced today that King County Jail will be the primary provider of bed space for the City's misdemeanor inmates, including those awaiting trial, instead of moving them outside the city limits. City and County inmates will share the facility.

“I have heard concerns from the community about holding inmates outside of the city,” said McGinn, “This new deal saves Seattle money and supports a more equitable environment for public defenders and low-income inmates.”

Plus, it makes sense given the jail's proximity to both the City and County courthouses. Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess points out that, since we'll be sharing the jail with the county, the deal doesn't put the City in the need of a new jail, at least for the next 20 years.

The City and the County also plan to collaborate further, pooling their resources in rehabilitation, re-entry and alternatives to incarceration.

Now that the King County Executive and the Mayor are best friends, maybe they can put aside their differences with the viaduct replacement project? Eh, eh?