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Press Release

For Immediate Release

*Contact*

Jamie Housen, jamie.housen@seattle.gov 

Amy Enbysk, aenbysk@kingcounty.gov 



King County and Seattle Announce New Agreement on Use of King County Jail 

New agreement aimed at strengthening public safety across Seattle would give Seattle access to 135 jail beds and lift booking restrictions for misdemeanor crimes prioritized by the City of Seattle  

*Seattle* – Today, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a new agreement regarding the City of Seattle’s use of the King County Jail. Operating under the City and County’s existing jail contract, the revised agreement updates rates that have been in place for many years, while allowing the City to use up to 135 jail beds and lift booking restrictions for misdemeanor crimes prioritized by the City of Seattle. The City estimates spending approximately $24 million on this revised agreement in 2025, a figure that will be reflected in the Mayor’s and Executive’s upcoming budget proposals. 

By updating the rates and total bed usage and allowing for prioritization of misdemeanor bookings, this new agreement better meets the goals of the City’s current initiatives to enhance public safety and revitalize the Downtown area and beyond. Starting in July, King County worked with Seattle to lift booking restrictions in geographic areas that were a component of the City’s public safety strategy within its Downtown Activation Plan. 

“This new agreement provides the City expanded flexibility and capacity in our use of the King County Jail, an important component in our efforts to enhance public safety and ensure a well functioning criminal legal system,” *said Mayor Bruce Harrell.* “Our approach to addressing people engaged in unlawful activities requires a diverse array of strategies and approaches – including the option to book someone into jail. I’m grateful for Executive Constantine’s continued collaboration – we are working together to create a safer Downtown, a safer Seattle, and a safer King County. This is another important area of partnership along with our shared efforts to strengthen public health response to the synthetic opioid crisis, expand access to treatment for substance use disorder and behavioral health challenges, and drive coordination between the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office.” 

"Our new agreement with the City of Seattle accomplishes several goals, including strengthening public safety in our communities, updating rates, and ensuring we balance booking needs with the wellbeing of jail staff and those in our care," *said Executive Dow Constantine*. "Working with the City of Seattle on this and many strategies to enhance the health and safety of our residents is a key component of our ongoing partnership and I thank Mayor Harrell for his commitment to that collaboration." 

The agreement is also reflective of the ongoing staffing shortages faced by King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), which has presented operational challenges that many correction agencies have been navigating nationwide. DAJD operates two adult jails – the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. The jails employ more than 400 uniformed officers to carry out operations at the two facilities, with healthcare overseen by Jail Health Services, a division of Public Health – Seattle and King County.  

These facilities are responsible for housing all felony bookings in King County. Additionally, the County has contracts to house misdemeanor bookings with local cities and tribal agencies. DAJD’s largest contract city is Seattle, which accounts for about half of all bookings.  

 

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