Spokane County’s efforts to reduce overcrowding and racial disparities at its aging jail have earned an additional investment of $1.75 million from the MacArthur Foundation.
The decision was announced Wednesday afternoon by Jacqueline van Wormer, the county’s criminal justice administrator and an assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at WSU. » More …
Handling parole violations fairly and predictably is hard.
For example, a violation could be a missed check-in or a failed drug test. Depending on the parole officer’s prerogative, it might be the first missed check-in, the fourth or even sixth that triggers an official sanction. Once in front of a judge, the punishment may be disproportionate to the minor infraction, if the judge hands down a sanction at all. To say the least, it’s a subjective and uncertain process for all parties involved. » More …
Faced with an overcrowded jail, packed court dockets, and community concerns about a high-profile law enforcement incident, Spokane two years ago was not unlike dozens of towns nationwide. What now sets it apart is the holistic approach the city and surrounding county are taking to reimagine and reform the regional justice system. » More …
WSU Spokane will host a conference for first responders and mental health professionals July 28-29. Presenters include Steve James and Jackie Van Wormer of the WSU Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. » More …
A WSU faculty member is steering the first major steps in a comprehensive overhaul of the way Spokane area police, courts, judges, and detention centers work together. » More …