No Staff Increase Needed or Interruptions Expected with New Buckley Jail Contract

Enumclaw is one of three cities that Buckley has secured jail contracts with ahead of the closure of the city jail later this year.

The Courier-Herald reports that Fife and Puyallup will also be taking prisoners from Buckley though the Enumclaw jail will primarily process and hold people booked for DUIs.

Enumclaw Police Capt. Bob Huebler said the city jail can absorb the additional activity from Buckley without affecting existing operations or staff.

Enumclaw currently has jail services agreements with 21 cities/agencies to provide housing as necessary and on a first come-first-served basis, he said.

"We have 25 beds in our 1 year detention facility which is overseen by 6 state-certified corrections staff," Huebler wrote to Patch in an email. "Our housed inmates are awaiting or have been convicted of misdemeanor offences only. We send all our felony level violators to the RJC [Regional Justice Center in Kent]. Our average daily population for 2011 was 18 inmates and through September of this year decreased to 16 inmates."

Enumclaw currently charges $60 a day for each prisoner from contract agencies. All revenues collected go back to the city's general fund. "We review our daily rate every two years and compare the rate with surrounding correctional facilities," he said.

With the current economic climate and opening of the SCORE jail, Enumclaw jail revenues in 2013 are expected to be in the $170,000 range, Huebler said.