By The Spokesman Review Editorial Board

March 22, 2013

“Alternatives so far have held long-term growth of the jail population in check – a 2007 report projected the county will need as many as 2,600 beds by 2035 – but Geiger is a dangerous former barracks, and the downtown jail has already been remodeled to hold 600, not the 462 it was built for 30 years ago.

Smart Justice Spokane, which is pushing reforms, says a significant number of prisoners could successfully be released back into the community without endangering others if the resources are there to help them. Many of the programs are out there; they are just not big enough.”

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