|
|
| New Snohomish Co. Jail Chief Hired |
| By Everett Herald |
| Published: 05/02/2003 |
|
A week after Snohomish County's corrections chief left her job in the midst of scandal, county officials announced last week they have found somebody to fill the post. Steve Thompson, 52, director of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, has been hired to lead the Snohomish County Corrections Department. He's scheduled to begin work on June 16. Thompson follows Andrea Bynum in Snohomish County's top corrections job. Bynum left her job April 15. It still is not clear whether she resigned or was fired, although her attorney, Mitch Cogdill, recently said Bynum hasn't decided whether to pursue some sort of legal action against the county. The jail has been a source of embarrassment and frustration for county leaders, who have been fielding questions about problems even as they prepare to ask voters May 20 to approve an increase in the sales tax to help cover operating costs of the new 640-bed jail, which is expected to cost $68.2 million. The existing jail often houses more than 600 inmates, although it was built for a maximum 477. Susan Neely, who oversees criminal justice issues for County Executive Bob Drewel, said she believes Thompson will attack the county's jail challenges with innovation and experience. 'Steve is a manager. He understands that role,' she said. 'He understands the role that budget plays in all of this, the need to manage within a set of parameters. He is addressing the very same issues we are, and he is coming up with solutions.' 'Snohomish County is gaining a talented and top-notch person in Steve Thompson,' King County Executive Ron Sims said in a news release. Thompson, of Issaquah, has worked in King County corrections jobs for roughly three decades. He began his career as a juvenile detention guard and rose to fill a variety of planning and administrative positions. In 1999, he was tapped for the top management position in King County's jail system, which locks up an average of 2,000 inmates each day. Thompson had planned to retire from the King County job in May. His new job means he'll be able to collect part of his retirement pay, plus the $119,062 he'll receive each year he works for Snohomish County. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think