Council hears about options for new Skagit County jail Posted by Kimberly Jacobson | Apr 11, 2012 | 553 views

The City Council got an update on the new Skagit County jail facility discussion at its March 26 meeting.

Charlie Wend, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office chief corrections deputy, said work on the jail’s future is beginning to gain momentum again.

It was built in 1984 to house 83 inmates. It now houses about 205 in custody with a total population of 250, which includes offenders out on alternatives like electronic home monitoring and work crews.

“Overcrowding is the big presenting issue,” he said.

Each week the jail turns away up to 85 people because of space issues.