# Probation Progress and Prison Standards: A Comprehensive Look at Whatcom County's Criminal Justice Systems On a Tuesday afternoon in March, three members of the Whatcom County Council's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee gathered in Council Chambers to examine two critical pieces of their local criminal justice puzzle. What began as a routine committee meeting evolved into a revealing window into both the human side of rehabilitation and the mechanical necessities of institutional standards. Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the hybrid meeting to order at 1:45 p.m., with Council Members Tyler Byrd and Jon Scanlon present. Several other council members attended as observers, creating an audience for what would prove to be an enlightening discussion about how the county manages both those trying to turn their lives around and those who haven't yet reached that point. The agenda held just two items, but each represented years of work and represented different ends of the criminal justice spectrum: a presentation on the growing success of District Court probation programs, and a long-awaited update to correctional facility standards that had been suspended since 2019. ## District Court Probation: More Than Just Monitoring Jake Wiebusch, District Court Administrator, took the podium first alongside Judge Jonathan Rantz to present what might be one of the county's most underappreciated success stories. Wiebusch's opening remarks immediately signaled this wouldn't be a dry recitation of statistics. "District Court Probation, up on the fourth floor, it's not one of the largest departments in the county, but I could say it's probably one of the busier departments," Wiebusch began. "You've got a lot of unique circumstances going on each day with many clients coming in for substance testing, checking in for appointments, doing intakes, referrals from court, probation officers running in and out of court, making sure things are handling well." But before diving into the numbers and programs, Wiebusch paused to acknowledge something rarely highlighted in government presentations: the human element. "I honestly just wanna start out by acknowledging my gratitude, probably, for our staff. They are some unique individuals that have to balance their heart and the need for accountability, and they do a fantastic job up there." The department serves not only Whatcom County but also provides probation services for the cities of Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Lynden, and Sumas through contracts. Only Ferndale maintains its own probation officer. The caseload is dominated by what Wiebusch called the "big three": DUI cases, alcohol and drug-related offenses, and domestic violence matters, which together account for 80 to 90 percent of all cases. What's particularly striking is the trajectory. Since emerging from COVID-related disruptions, the department has seen at least a 5 percent annual increase in referrals, with 2024 marking their largest single-year jump at 10 percent. "For some caseloads, that's 20 additional individuals that are now on their caseload," Wiebusch explained. More concerning than the raw numbers is the complexity. "Most notable is the complexity of each of the cases," he noted. "Not only are we getting more individuals, but we are generally not receiving a first-time offender and are consistently receiving individuals with complex dynamic issues, such as dual diagnosis and high-risk DV factors." When Council Member Byrd asked about optimal caseload sizes, Wiebusch's response revealed both the department's pragmatism and its aspirations. The general DUI caseloads are managed by five and a half officers, soon to be six and a half with a new hire in training. But it's the specialized units where growth is most needed. "We'd potentially like to increase probably the size of that [domestic violence unit] based off of the need in our community. Maybe add an additional staff member there to balance that out." The conversation revealed an important distinction when Council Member Galloway asked about the difference between District Court's pretrial unit and Superior Court's version. Wiebusch explained that while Superior Court conducts assessments and provides recommendations to judges, "Our judicial officers do that on the bench and then recommend it to us. We then have conditions, specific conditions that relate typically to the alleged crime that's there. And then we monitor those." This monitoring isn't passive paperwork. District Court probation conducts substance testing, monitors alcohol-detecting bracelets, ensures ignition interlock devices are properly installed, and runs specialized programs that go far beyond traditional supervision. ## Innovation in Rehabilitation Programming Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Wiebusch's presentation was the array of programs the department has developed, many of them groundbreaking in Washington state. The Domestic Violence Perpetrator Opportunity for Treatment Services (DVPOTS) represents the first funding program of its kind in Washington, providing financial assistance for domestic violence assessments and treatment to indigent offenders. "There's never been funds. This is the first of its kind in Washington," Wiebusch emphasized. The program combines $20,000 from the county with additional funds from the city of Bellingham, and has served 96 unique individuals since its inception in 2020. When outside treatment isn't available or accessible, the department runs its own Domestic Violence Moral Recognition Therapy (DVMRT) program. "That is an in-house option that many of the jurisdictions around the state have adapted and typically are using when they don't have treatment services available in their community," Wiebusch explained. The DVMRT program exemplifies the department's hands-on approach. Probation officers facilitate groups where clients work through 24 steps in a workbook format. "Other group members vote and participate and pass them. So it's a really, really encouraging program," Wiebusch said. The numbers bear this out: 138 people have been involved, with 71 graduating from the program. The department's innovation continued with Judge Anderson's establishment of the Family Justice Calendar in 2022. This adds another layer of accountability, with participants appearing before the judge every three weeks initially. "If they're doing well, they're pushed out a few months, but it's just another layer where they're coming in, not only seeing a probation officer, but also checking in with the judge to make sure that they're attending, they are growing, they are learning, they are applying." Other programs include standard Moral Recognition Therapy for general criminal thinking, Anger MRT for non-intimate partner assaults, and an Electronic Equipment Program run in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office since 2017. The electronic monitoring uses both ankle bracelets for transdermal alcohol detection and handheld devices that require clients to provide breath samples with video verification throughout the day. Even the department's communication strategy reflects innovation. They send over 1,000 text messages per week to remind clients of appointments, substance tests, and court hearings across multiple jurisdictions. "I think I tallied last week about 1,040 texts that we sent last week just as reminders to help people show up for court and for their appointments," Wiebusch noted. Looking ahead, the department plans to implement a color-coding system for random substance testing, similar to what Recovery Court uses. Starting with their smaller mental health court program, clients will be assigned colors and receive daily texts that might call them in for testing. "So the potential is always there each day and they could be called in." ## The Human Stories Behind the Statistics When Council Member Scanlon asked about positive outcomes, both Wiebusch and Judge Rantz lit up with enthusiasm. Wiebusch, who previously facilitated groups himself, described the transformation he witnessed: "You see those individuals dealing with power and control, and when they get those aha moments, those lights switch on, and then they understand it, they progress, and then these new ones come through, and they're calling those out rather than me or the facilitator, but they're calling each other out and holding one another accountable." Judge Rantz expanded on this theme, describing how he deliberately celebrates successes in court. "On every other week, I see successes on our pretrial calendar, I see successes on our probation calendar, and an example of that is, and when I do see those, the first thing I do when I call the calendar is I make a good example of those success stories." He particularly highlighted deferred prosecution graduations, which require "five years of sobriety, two years of inpatient, or a two-year treatment program, and five years of sobriety. It's a very difficult program, and it's life-changing." The judge's approach reflects what he called "therapeutic principles": "Call those cases first, congratulate that person, and let them know that their success and the dismissal of the case is a product of hard work and dedication. That allows everybody else that's in court to see that there's hope, and also to see that we're there for support." This philosophy extends beyond individual cases. Judge Rantz makes a point of telling people entering programs to "come back and see me, come back and let us congratulate you on the success and the hard work that you've done." The department's growth has been supported by significant grant funding. In June, they received $178,000 through the Administrative Office of the Courts to support mental health court programs for both the city and county. These funds cover a full-time probation officer, substance testing for the program, and extensive training. ## Modernizing Correctional Standards After Years of Delay The committee's second major item represented a different aspect of criminal justice: updating standards for those who haven't yet succeeded in rehabilitation. Steve Harris, Undersheriff for Whatcom County, presented an ordinance that had been years in the making. "Since first being suspended in 2019, no comprehensive proposal have been brought forward to modernize our county's correctional standards," Harris began. "However, when Sheriff Tanksley took office last year, he committed to address this issue and ensure our county's correctional facilities meet today's best practices." The delay in updating these standards reflects a common challenge in local government: balancing thoroughness with practicality. Previous attempts had bogged down in the sheer volume of detailed policies that needed review. Harris's approach was different. "The foundational premise of this proposal is to keep our correctional standards within county code, preserving council's ability to make amendments as needed," he explained. "Rather than presenting the council with hundreds of pages of policy to review, we have updated the code language to align with current correctional standards." This streamlined approach addresses a key concern from previous discussions. As Council Member Donovan noted, "In the past, so it took a long time for this to happen. So this, one of the concerns before was like, where is this going to live? It's going to live online where people can see the policies, because as big as that binder is, the exhibit is like not that big." Harris confirmed that the detailed policies would be accessible online, with the code serving as an overview that references specific Sheriff's Office rules and regulations. "And as soon as we get them all updated, they are going to be live online. We can access, we already have a lot of the correctional standards up. We have a lot of the patrol policies and procedures online so people can access them." The updated standards cover comprehensive areas of jail operations with an emphasis on constitutional compliance, safety, and humane treatment. Key provisions include rigorous staff training, including crisis management and Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance, while maintaining transparency through detailed records and public access. For inmates, the standards safeguard rights including access to medical care, legal resources, and protection from abuse. Strict guidelines govern use of force, requiring documentation and review. Health services mandate screenings, mental health support, and 24-hour emergency care. Living conditions ensure sanitation, nutrition, and hygiene with three meals a day in a clean facility. The standards also address modern correctional practices around visitation, mail, and communications, balancing security needs with rights. Work release programs include accountability measures through checks and sobriety testing. Contraband controls and regular facility searches maintain security while respecting dignity. Harris acknowledged that this won't be the final word on correctional standards. "Considering the evolving expectations for inmate care and facility operations, we recognize that future updates will likely be necessary. Sheriff Tanksley remains committed to keeping the council informed when such amendments may be necessary." The timing isn't coincidental. As Harris explained, "If you guys have been following the legislature the last couple of years, they are looking at implementing state standards for correctional facilities. So we just kind of jumped on that and figured it makes sense to codify our correctional standards in Whatcom County to start with." ## Minor Details, Major Professionalism Even routine items revealed the committee's attention to detail. Council Member Galloway noted "a few Scrivner things" in the ordinance—specifically, three sections using male pronouns where gender-neutral language would be more appropriate. The casual efficiency with which this was addressed, including legal counsel's thumbs-up for the non-substantial nature of the changes, demonstrated the professional atmosphere of the proceedings. The meeting also included a moment of levity when Galloway, clearly curious about Harris's extensive service record, asked about his hash marks. "That's quite a armful of hash marks. Is that 36 years worth of hash marks?" When Harris replied it was 30 years with each mark representing three years of service, Galloway admitted, "That's weird. Okay, sorry. I'm used to four." Such moments, while brief, humanize what could otherwise be sterile government proceedings. ## Looking Forward: Challenges and Growth Both presentations highlighted growing demands on Whatcom County's criminal justice system. The probation department's 10 percent growth in 2024, combined with increasingly complex cases, suggests continued pressure on resources. The department's innovative programming approach appears to be working—both in terms of outcomes and recognition from other jurisdictions—but success brings its own challenges. Space constraints were identified as a particular concern. "Some of the challenges we're gonna have in this next year as we grow or continue to address this is time and space. We're limited on our floor with what we can provide, but we're working on it," Wiebusch noted. The correctional standards update, meanwhile, positions the county to meet evolving state requirements while maintaining local control over implementation. The decision to keep detailed policies online while maintaining high-level standards in county code creates flexibility for future adjustments without requiring lengthy legislative processes for every operational change. ## Adjournment and Reflection The meeting concluded at 2:07 p.m., well ahead of schedule. Chair Buchanan's comment—"We are early. Well done, Barry. It was my presenter, it was not me"—highlighted the efficiency of the presenters and the focused nature of the committee's work. What emerged from this brief but substantive meeting was a picture of a criminal justice system actively working to balance accountability with rehabilitation, innovation with proven practices, and local control with state compliance. The contrast between the two presentations—one showcasing creative, human-centered programming and the other ensuring fundamental institutional standards—illustrated the full spectrum of challenges facing modern criminal justice systems. The success stories Judge Rantz and Wiebusch shared weren't just feel-good anecdotes; they represented real people whose lives have been changed by thoughtful, evidence-based interventions. The correctional standards Harris presented weren't just bureaucratic requirements; they represent a commitment to treating all people in the system with dignity and constitutional protection. As Committee Chair Buchanan noted at the conclusion, they'll "see you next time"—and based on the trajectory of both probation growth and evolving correctional standards, that next meeting will likely bring its own set of challenges and innovations in Whatcom County's ongoing effort to create a more effective and humane criminal justice system.