Corrections director warns of rising jail population, staffing and monitoring needs

Marin Fox, director of corrections, told the Board of County Commissioners the jail’s average daily population so far this year is 178, up from an ADP of 171 in 2025, with a recorded high of 203 and a low of 154.

Fox said population can swing by 30 to 40 inmates in a week, driven by weekend booking spikes and midweek misdemeanor dockets. "Last weekend was a 3-day weekend. We had a lot of bookings, I believe 68 bookings," she said, noting many misdemeanants are released after court and that large dockets—Long View was cited—produce predictable midweek releases.

The director told commissioners the department has implemented significant budget cuts and is currently about 7% under projected expenditures year to date and about 12% under on overtime. She cautioned, however, that summer staffing pressures and unplanned medical leaves could increase overtime needs. "FMLA, the PFML…we have really no way to plan for. We have had as many as four to five people off at one time for that," Fox said.

Fox described intake policies with the Department of Corrections (DOC), saying the county has a contractual cap on DOC rate increases (discussed as a 5% cap) and that the county can decline DOC intakes if an individual is medically or behaviorally unsuitable due to liability concerns. She said the county sometimes houses DOC inmates overnight and transfers them the next day when necessary.

On revenue, Fox said jail revenue from city contracts and the DOC contract is running about 10% above projections year to date (figures built through May) and that she expects the DOC-related revenue line to come in higher than originally budgeted.

Fox also outlined expanded out-of-custody work crews that now operate seven days a week and do landscaping, nuisance-abatement, and litter removal for county and partner agencies. She reported improved bed flow for competency restoration transfers to Western State Hospital, saying state changes have shortened waits and typically result in transfers within 14 days.

On safety technology, a commissioner referenced forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems used elsewhere; Fox said the county facility’s cell configurations (many multi-person cells) make single-cell FLIR impractical and that staff are watching a Lewis County system that can monitor multiple people per cell. She noted a potential one-time $25,000 contribution from the county’s risk pool and that there would be ongoing costs if the board approves procurement.

The presentation closed with Fox recognizing three officers for service: Officer Andy Caldwell and Officer Selena Morris were credited with a life-saving response to an inmate overdose on April 4, and Officer Jacobson was recognized for organizing an inmate library to improve inmate welfare and safety.

The commissioners had no immediate policy votes during the session; Fox’s presentation was followed by procedural items and other departmental briefings.