State proposes McNeil Is. for sex-offender rehab

Associated Press

TACOMA — A prison work camp on McNeil Island could be converted into a 176-bed replacement for the overcrowded Special Commitment Center for sex offenders, state officials say.

Hoping to persuade U.S. District Judge William Dwyer to lift a 6-year-old injunction, attorneys for the state Department of Social and Health Services on Thursday presented the preliminary plan at the conclusion of a three-day hearing in Tacoma.

Another unit at the prison on the south Puget Sound island currently houses the state’s most violent rapists and pedophiles, who have been ordered confined after completing prison terms.

Dwyer has ruled that a new facility outside the medium-security McNeil Island Corrections Center is necessary to bring the sex offender treatment program up to constitutional standards.

The judge also said that inmates of the center must be given the opportunity to make their way back into society, prompting the state to choose a site near the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla for a halfway house.

Dwyer has threatened to fine the state for not doing more to improve psychiatric care at the center and is expected to rule in the next few weeks on whether to impose more than $1 million in fines.

Hoping to slow the siting process, the Walla Walla City Council voted Wednesday to sue DSHS over the agency’s proposal to locate a halfway house for sex predators near the Washington State Penitentiary. The council contends the agency failed to follow public processes in choosing the site.

The council also approved a moratorium and interim zoning ordinance to temporarily block the agency’s application for a building permit.

DSHS had planned to build a 402-bed facility on McNeil Island, outside the prison, to comply with Dwyer’s orders.

Now it appears the minimum-security McNeil Island Work Ethic Camp may be available to DSHS by the summer of 2002, DSHS staff said.

The 40-acre camp has about 180 beds, an education center and ball fields.

While the decision for the halfway house riled Walla Walla residents, some Snohomish County residents were relieved. A proposal to use state land behind the old Indian Ridge Youth Camp in Arlington Heights for the halfway house was dropped. A location south of Monroe is considered an alternate to the Walla Walla site.

Walla Walla city officials acknowledged they may not be able to stop DSHS from building and operating the halfway house on state.

"You cannot simply say no," city attorney Tim Donaldson said, citing state Growth Management Act mandates requiring municipalities to plan for "essential public facilities."

But council members said they want to slow the process long enough to give the public its say before DSHS officials at a public hearing Jan. 24.

City officials are upset with DSHS officials since learning through a press release late last month that Walla Walla was among the 11 sites being considered for the sex predator housing site.

DSHS Secretary Dennis Braddock selected Walla Walla from three finalists for the halfway house on Dec. 1, just days ahead of a deadline set by Dwyer for choosing a site.

"The secretary of DSHS basically walked all over our processes," Donaldson said. "What we’re doing says that they are required to go through our processes."

The failure of DSHS officials to publicly include residents in its siting process violates city and county planning policies, comprehensive plans, and the city’s zoning code, Donaldson said.

The council ordered a six-month moratorium, beginning Jan. 1, 2001, on permit applications for halfway houses.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.