View as a webpage  /  Share

Prevention, Restoration, Accountability
August 2026

Council Accepts Jail Program, Project Moves to Design Phase

On Tuesday evening, the County Council passed a motion accepting the jail program, clearing the way for the facility to move forward into schematic design.

“This is a critical step towards breaking ground on a new jail and behavioral care center. With the vote last night, our design-build team has what they need to complete validation and move into design,” said County Executive Satpal Sidhu. “Thank you to the Council for their thoughtful deliberation and providing their policy priorities throughout this process.”

Schematic design is the phase where the County’s priorities, program, budget, site conditions, and operational needs are translated into a coordinated design that establishes the project’s overall form, function, systems, and key architectural and engineering decisions. The resulting schematic design documents are sufficiently developed to demonstrate what will be built, how it will function, and what it is expected to cost, in preparation for breaking ground in 2027.

The Cascadia Daily News and the Bellingham Herald also provided news coverage of the council action this week.

Community Invited to "Court Education Day"

Whatcom County Superior Court invites the Whatcom County Community to Court Education Day

Whatcom County Superior Court will open its doors to the community on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 1:00-5:00 PM for a special Court Education Day, offering members of the public an opportunity to learn more about the local court system, observe proceedings, and meet the people who help administer justice in Whatcom County.

The free public open house is designed to provide an inside look at how Superior Court operates and how the court connects with the community through a variety of programs and services.

Visitors will have the opportunity to:

• Take guided or self-guided tours of the courthouse and learn more about the court process
• Observe court hearings that are open to the public
• Meet and speak with Judicial Officers and learn about their roles
• Attend presentations and learn more about Recovery Courts, Pretrial Services, the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Program (FJCIP), Superior Court Clerks, Juvenile Probation, Juvenile Detention, and other court-related programs and services

“Court Education Day is an opportunity for the community to see firsthand what happens inside our courthouse and learn about the many people and programs that make our justice system work,” said Mallory Hamilton, Superior Court Programs Manager. “We want the public to feel welcome, ask questions and better understand the services available through Superior Court.”

The event is intended for community members of all backgrounds and does not require any prior knowledge of the court system. Whether someone is interested in learning how court proceedings work, exploring a career in the justice system, or simply wants to better understand the services available in Whatcom County, Court Education Day offers an opportunity to learn directly from those who serve the community.

WHAT: Whatcom County Superior Court, Court Education Day
WHEN: Friday, August 28, 2026, 1-5 PM
WHERE: Whatcom County Superior Court, 311 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
WHO: Open to the Public

Stay Connected

The Justice Project is more than just the new jail - it is an initiative that aims to fundamentally reshape how we address criminal justice and behavioral health in our community. It includes a new county jail and behavioral care center, and the expansion of services for behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and supportive housing.

Over the next couple of months, there will be more details on the Behavioral Care Center, and the work being done to improve our criminal justice system and support services. 

Look for those details here in your monthly Justice Project newsletter and on our project website here.