History

Use this website for informational purposes only.

The Spokane County Jail is located in Spokane, Washington, United States. In 1895, the jail replaced the previous wooden structure built in 1879, which had become insufficient for the growing population of Spokane County.

CLICK HERE to Search for Incarcerated Friends or Family Members

The Spokane County Jail, 1895-2001

The first Spokane County Jail was a wooden structure built in 1879. The jail was located on the corner of Wall Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard. The jail was designed to hold 48 prisoners, but by 1894, the jail was overcrowded with over 100 prisoners. In 1895, the Spokane County Commissioners approved the construction of a new jail. The new jail was built on the same site as the old jail. The jail was designed to hold 128 prisoners. The jail was completed in 1896.

In 1951, the Spokane County Jail underwent a major renovation. The renovation included the addition of a new cell block, a new infirmary, and a new kitchen. The renovation also included the installation of new security systems.

In 1969, the Spokane County Jail was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge. The judge ruled that the jail was overcrowded and that the conditions in the jail violated the prisoners' constitutional rights. The Spokane County Commissioners were ordered to improve the conditions in the jail.

In 1972, the Spokane County Commissioners approved the construction of a new jail. The new jail was built on a site adjacent to the old jail. The new jail was designed to hold 350 prisoners. The jail was completed in 1974.

In 1991, the Spokane County Jail underwent a major renovation. The renovation included the addition of a new cell block, a new infirmary, and a new kitchen. The renovation also included the installation of new security systems.

The Spokane County Jail Today

The Spokane County Jail is a state-of-the-art facility. The jail is designed to hold 450 prisoners. The jail has a variety of programs and services for prisoners, including educational programs, vocational programs, and counseling programs.

The Spokane County Jail is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for prisoners and staff. The jail also provides a variety of programs and services to help prisoners prepare for their release and reintegration into the community.

Controversies

• Overcrowding: The Spokane County Jail has been overcrowded for many years. In 2015, the jail was at 120% capacity and had to release hundreds of prisoners early.
• Use of Force: The Spokane County Jail has been criticized for its use of force by staff and has a policy of minimizing use of force through a negotiated-resolution strategy, while still maintaining public and staff safety.
• Mental Health Care: The Spokane County Jail has been criticized for its lack of mental health care for prisoners.

Improvements

• New Jail: In 2018, Spokane County voters approved a $220 million bond measure to build a new jail. The new jail will be located in Downtown Spokane and will have a capacity of 700 prisoners.
• Mental Health Services: The Spokane County Jail has increased the number of mental health professionals on staff and has partnered with local mental health agencies to provide services to prisoners.
• Drug Treatment Programs: The Spokane County Jail has partnered with local drug treatment agencies to provide drug treatment programs to prisoners.

The Spokane County Jail is a critical component of the criminal justice system in Spokane County. The jail provides a safe and secure environment for prisoners and staff and provides a variety of programs and services to help prisoners prepare for their release and reintegration into the community.

Notable Inmates

• Joseph Paul Franklin: Franklin was a white supremacist who was convicted of killing 22 people in a series of racially motivated attacks across the United States. He was sentenced to death and executed in 2013.
• Ted Bundy: Bundy was a serial killer who confessed to killing 30 women across seven states. He was sentenced to death and executed in 1989.
• Gary Ridgway: Ridgway is a serial killer who confessed to killing 49 women in Washington state. He is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
• Robert Lee Yates: Yates is a serial killer who confessed to killing 16 women in Spokane County. He is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.