Chelan County to Boost Nursing Staff at Jail

The Chelan County Criminal Justice Center is about to see a boost in its staff of nurses.

The jail currently has four full time nurses who are able to provide medical services between 7 am and 7:30 pm.

County Commissioner Bob Bugert says staffing will soon be expanded to cover inmate medical needs around the clock with the addition of two new nurses.

"We hope to have these two additional nurses to do a 24-7 medical coverage for people who have higher rates of substance abuse disorder, chronical health conditions, infectious diseases and behavior health conditions," said Bugert.

Chelan County Commissioners voted Monday to increase the nursing staff at the jail from four to six.

Bugert says the need for increased medical care was targeted for the jail after discussions with Jail Director Chris Sharp.

The jail now houses inmates from Chelan and Douglas counties after an agreement was reached with Douglas County, which has no facility of its own.

Douglas County's previous arrangement to have its inmates housed in Okanogan County ended earlier this year over a combination of issues, including COVID-19 restrictions and staff shortages.

The average daily bed rate at the Chelan County Jail has increased with the influx of Douglas County inmates.

However, Bugert says both sides seem to be happy with their agreement.

"It has worked out well," said Bugert. "I think it's a cost savings for Douglas County. And we've got the capacity at the Chelan County Jail to handle that."