Spokane County takes over management of jail

A changing of the guard is ahead for the Spokane County Jail after county commissioners voted unanimously to take over management of the jail and Geiger Corrections Center.

Both the jail and Geiger are currently managed by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich actually proposed this change last year in a move to restructure the criminal justice system.

“I agree with the Sheriff’s proposal and this is consistent with what we see in Yakima, Chelan and King Counties,” Commissioner Todd Mielke said in a written statement.

“We need to have a financially sustainable criminal justice system that appropriately administers justice, reduces recidivism, and is sensitive to victim’s rights.  It simply doesn’t make sense for one set of elected officials to be responsible for the budgeting of these programs, and a separate elected official responsible for the day-to-day operations,” Mielke added.

The county believes the change will help better manage detention services and takes effect in June.