Port of Walla Walla Comments
Regarding : Proposed Legislation – DSHS Siting Requirements for Sexual Predator Halfway House Facilities

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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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