Empty Thurston County jail costing millions

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — When Thurston County voters overwhelmingly rejected a plan for a Regional Justice Center, the commissioners at the time scaled back the plan and built a $44 million jail anyway.

Years later, the jail still sits empty and unopened and is costing taxpayers millions.

"It has been a big money pit and a big taxpayer waste of funds in Thurston County," said Glen Morgan with watchdog group the Freedom Foundation.  Even though the jail is empty, it is still costing county taxpayers $400,000 a year to maintain the heating system, water and other utilities.

While the new jail sits empty, the old jail is overcrowded and this year the county is spending $620,000.

Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza was elected after the new jail was built. Snaza says he would like to get the jail opened but commissioners just cut his budget.

"As I sit here today, we don't have enough money to open it next year, and my concern is sustainability for ongoing years," said Snaza.

The new Thurston County manager, Cliff Moore, tells KIRO 7 he believes there is enough money to finally open the new jail if county corrections officers approve 12-hour shifts in their  contract.

"We're upset it's empty as well and we're anxious to get it open as quickly as possible," said Moore.

Critics like Glen Morgan tell KIRO 7 they've been hearing promises the jail is finally going to open for years, but all that is certain is open or empty, it will keep costing taxpayers.

"This is the biggest financial mistake Thurston County has ever made, and it's just complete incompetence," said Morgan.

(Note: the quote above was earlier erroneously attributed to Cliff Moore, when it should have been Glen Morgan.)

The county and corrections officers are still negotiating the contract changes.

KIRO 7 will update the story as those negotiations develop.

KIRO