Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force?
The IPRTF is a coalition of community members, service providers, elected officials and law enforcement working together since 2015 to transform Whatcom County’s approach to criminal justice and public safety by increasing resources to address underlying causes of incarceration in order to lead people out of the criminal legal system and into supportive services, reducing the chances of re-incarceration. 

Why was the Task Force created?
Between 1970 and 2014, the number of people in jail in Whatcom County grew almost nine-fold—from 45 to 391 on any given day—while the overall county population only grew two-and-a-half times. In many cases people incarcerated were facing underlying challenges that led to incarceration, including behavioral health and substance use disorder.

Is the Task Force responsible for managing programs and services? 
The IPRTF is not responsible for running programs or delivering services. The purpose of the Task Force is to make specific recommendations to local government, agencies, and departments that are responsible for the programs and services available to the public. The recommendations of the Task Force focus on how to safely and effectively: 

  • Reduce incarceration of individuals struggling with behavioral health or substance use disorder
  • Reduce the number of people in jail awaiting trial who can be released safely
  • Reduce racial disparities in incarceration

What is the Justice Project? 
The Justice Project Implementation Plan was approved by the Whatcom County Council in 2023. It serves as a roadmap that identifies the systems, services, and facilities needed to best serve those in the criminal legal system and those who need behavioral health services in Whatcom County. The Implementation Plan was developed by the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which included members of the IPRTF. Learn more about the Justice Project and the Implementation Plan. 

What is the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee? Who are the members? 
The Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee is a new advisory board and subcommittee of the IPRTF that will be made up of volunteer members from the community. The role of the JPOP is to help with the implementation of the Justice Project, including sharing information with and getting feedback from the community. If you are interested in participating, the JPOP is currently accepting applications for membership. 

What is behavioral health?
The term "behavioral health" refers to significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior.  It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning, or an inability to meet responsibilities at school, home, or work.

What is substance use disorder?
The term "substance use disorder" refers to the use of alcohol and/or drugs that causes significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and an inability to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home.

What is the Anne Deacon Center for Hope?
The Anne Deacon Center for Hope is a crisis stabilization center serving adults in Whatcom County and the North Sound Region. The Anne Deacon Center for Hope offers short term, in-patient substance use disorder and behavioral health support services. 

What is GRACE?
The Ground Level Response and Coordinated Engagement program is a community-based effort to find solutions for individuals who are high utilizers of emergency and criminal justice systems. The aim is to offer intensive, coordinated services to these "familiar faces" whose needs span beyond any single agency. 

What is LEAD?
The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program (also known as Let Everyone Advance with Dignity) enhances safety, health, and equity by building a community-based alternative to arrest and incarceration for people whose unlawful behavior stems from unmanaged substance use, mental health challenges, or extreme poverty. 

What is ART? 
The Bellingham Alternative Response Team sends a behavioral health specialist and a public health nurse to respond to specific non-violent behavioral health 911 calls. 

How can I access behavioral health or substance use disorder services?
Contact the Anne Deacon Center for Hope, which serves Whatcom County and the North Sound Region, if you need behavioral health or substance use disorder services. 

Learn more about the crisis response services provided by Whatcom County Health and Community Services. 

How does the Task Force address racial disparities in the criminal legal system?
When a community member needs help because of behavioral health or substance use disorder, too often they are taken to jail or the emergency room--neither have the resources to help. Research shows that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are disproportionately impacted by this, and, as a result, are overrepresented in jails and prisons across the county, including Whatcom County. 

A priority of the Task Force continues to be addressing racial disparities by identifying, reducing, and eliminating barriers to care and services for those historically excluded because of ethnicity, race, or culture. 

Who are the Task Force members?
The Task Force is made up of 30 members including concerned community members, community health and human services providers, law enforcement officers and leadership, county and city employees, and elected officials. Members are appointed by the Whatcom County Council and serve 4-year terms. 

Who does the Task Force report to?
The Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force is one of many boards and commissions in Whatcom County. The Task Force reports to and works closely with the Whatcom County Council and Whatcom County Executive. The Task Force also serves as the Whatcom County Law and Justice Council, a requirement of state law. 

How is the Task Force funded?
The Task Force is funded from the County general fund. Projects, programs, and facilities that the Task Force recommends and the County or jurisdictions implement are funded from a variety of sources in addition to the general fund, such as grants or the behavioral health fund.

How can community members be involved in the work of the Task Force? 
As members of the community, the Task Force is committed to continual listening, learning, and adapting. We invite you to join us at a Task Force meeting. Meetings are open to the public. Community members who attend may provide public comment on issues related to incarceration prevention and reduction efforts in Whatcom County. 

View the Task Force and committee calendar for up-to-date meeting information.