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The Port is concerned that
the “not in my backyard” argument will not prevail as
Walla Walla County attempts to prevent the sexual predator
halfway house from being sited next to the Washington State
Penitentiary. We
believe legislation needs to be passed that provides for a
more equitable means of placing unwanted sexual predators
throughout the state.
One
concept that we believe has merit is to introduce legislation
requiring DSHS to house sexual predators eligible for less
restrictive alternative housing in the counties upon which
they were convicted. For
example, if a sexual predator currently serving time at McNeil
Island was eligible to be released to a halfway house and this
person was originally convicted in King County, the
legislation would require DSHS to provide the halfway house
setting in King County.
With this legislation all
counties would eventually have to accommodate unwanted sexual
predators including Walla Walla County.
However, it is the most equitable system and would
prevent Walla Walla County from having to host sexual
predators convicted in other counties.
Under this legislation, the
cost to the state should not be significant since the
facilities being proposed to accommodate sexual predators is
modular housing. This
type of housing can be sited in any county in the state.
It is my understanding
that the Washington State Department of Corrections has a
policy in effect that requires sexual predator related inmates
under their jurisdiction to be released to the county from
which they were convicted when they are eligible for release. There are some exceptions to this policy if treatment
restricted resources are not available to them in the county
they were convicted. It
only makes sense to extend this policy (via legislation) to
DSHS.
Jim Kuntz
Port of Walla Walla
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