12-01-2020 SCOREPolice Department
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Jail Services Contract –SCORE Jail
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
December 1, 2020
Policy Question
Should the City of Federal Way enter into a
jail services contract with SCORE Jail?
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Overview
Federal Way was an Owner City of SCORE when it opened
in 2011.
On September 4, 2018, the City Council passed a
resolution authorizing the withdrawal from the SCORE
Inter-local Agreement.
The decision to leave SCORE Jail was strictly for financial
reasons.
This resulted in the City entering into jail service contracts
with multiple other jail facilities in 2020.
Federal Way is completing nearly one-year as a contract
jail city.
Jail Services Contracts
The following are the current jail contracts for inmate
housing options for the City of Federal Way.
King County Jail
Kent City Jail
Puyallup City Jail
Issaquah City Jail
Yakima County Jail
Projected 2021 Annual Jail Costs
King County Jail $210 daily $149 booking fee
Kent City Jail $150 daily $35 booking fee
Puyallup City Jail $95 daily
Issaquah City Jail $110 daily
Yakima County Jail $85 daily
*SCORE Jail $128 daily
2018 Total Annual Jail Budget: $6,415.972
2021 Total Annual Jail Budget: $4,330,300
*Proposing to add SCORE Jail to the contract jail services.
Currently have 13 guaranteed beds, proposing to add 3 additional beds at
SCORE Jail. Guarantee beds are vital in managing our allotted jail budget.
SCORE Jail Contract
In late August, SCORE Jail and FWPD mutually agreed to explore the
feasibility of Federal Way returning as a contract city (not an owner city
again).
Due to COVID-19, we are constantly at risk of losing or having bed space
reduced at our contracted facilities. This adversely impacts our ability to
house inmates. It would be a significant public safety issue if we run out of
space to book prisoners whom the law requires us to put in jail.
SCORE’s offer was a lower per bed expense ($128), compared to other
contracted jails. Our projected contract cost to use SCORE Jail, with three
(3) guaranteed beds, would be approximately $175,000 annually.
This contract expense does not increase the overall jail budget; it is a re-
allocation of existing funds to better diversify our available inmate housing
options.
Without the contract, we may be compelled to house more inmates at the
King County jail at twice the cost per bed.
SCORE Jail Contract (cont’d)
Having SCORE as a contract jail facility enhances patrol operations and
public safety due to its location in Des Moines. Compared to our other
contracted jails, SCORE is a shorter round-trip drive for our officers, which
puts them back in the city sooner (reduced emergency response time for
our residents).
SCORE is a professional, respected, and reputable facility, ownership
comprised of Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Renton, SeaTac, and Tukwila.
Provide services to more than 40 other municipalities, including Bellevue,
Mercer Island, Kirkland, Everett, Lynwood, and Puyallup.
SCORE Director Devon Schrum is a outstanding leader and is committed
to continual improvement and actively seeks ways to move the
organization in a positive direction.
SCORE Jail Contract (cont’d)
Attained many jail specific certifications and achievements. Just this year,
SCORE was awarded re-accreditation through the Washington Association
of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), and National Accreditation from
the National Commission on Health Care (NCCHC).
SCORE contracts with national and local community service providers who
lead the industry in medical, mental, and inmate services.
SCORE officers receive ongoing Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT)
from the WSCJTC to respond to people in a mental health crisis, similar to
training FWPD officers receive.
Recommendation
The Police Department recommendation is to secure the proposed
SCORE Jail services contract in order to best serve the citizens of
Federal Way, enhance the patrol operations and ensure public safety is
not risked due to limited or reduced inmate housing options.
Questions