County Jail Replacement Project

Washington County is conducting a multi‑year planning effort to understand long‑term needs for the Washington County Jail. The jail is a critical part of the local justice system and is required under Oregon law. Today, the facility is significantly undersized for a county with nearly 620,000 residents and projected continued growth.

Through an in‑depth Capacity Study led by Matrix Consulting, the County is assessing future bedspace, program, and facility needs through the year 2055. The study will guide decisions about possible expansion or full replacement to ensure the jail remains safe, modern, and able to serve the community for decades to come.

While the County is planning for the future, we are also working to improve what is there now. Jail staff areas have become outdated and no longer provide the level of respite needed for the people who work in this 24/7 environment. Drawing from best practices, the goal is to create modern, trauma‑informed spaces where staff can recuperate during their shifts, process challenging incidents, and take true breaks from their work within the facility. These improvements can move forward now, even as the County continues its long‑range planning for comprehensive jail replacement.

Background

The Washington County Jail is the county’s only jail and plays a central role in Oregon’s constitutionally mandated public safety system. Despite being located in the state’s second most populated county, Washington County’s jail capacity per resident is among the smallest in Oregon. The current 572‑bed jail serves every police agency in the county and supports the full justice ecosystem, including law enforcement, courts, and essential in‑custody programming.

Recognizing that the jail no longer meets current and future needs, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to re‑examine long‑term capacity. This review includes revisiting the 2007 Corrections Master Plan, which recommended expansion but was never implemented. The new study looks ahead to 2055, taking into account population growth, community trends, and changes in the broader justice system.

As this work moves forward, Washington County remains committed to providing trauma‑informed, effective, and efficient services for adults in custody and the staff who operate this essential public safety facility.

Project Overview

The Jail and Community Corrections Center Capacity Study is the first comprehensive assessment of Washington County’s jail-related space needs since 2007. Key components of the study include:

Washington County Jail Needs

• Current capacity: 572 beds
• Projected 2055 capacity need: 851–947 beds
• Increase needed: 279–375 beds
• Driven by population growth (620,000 residents today), justice system demands, and state constitutional requirements.

State Requirements

• Operate local jails and hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
• Meet minimum standards for staffing, medical/mental healthcare, meals, and facility conditions.
• Provide safe, clean, secure environments for adults in custody.

Future Planning
The study examines multiple scenarios using different population and system assumptions. Projections may evolve as factors like diversion programs, new technologies, and justice reforms change. The goal is to build a long-term, balanced plan that keeps Washington County’s public safety system functioning effectively for the next 30 years.

Project Timeline