Courthouse issues are critical

Thank you Daily Olympian for last Sunday’s front page article: “Thurston County Courthouse power outage raises concerns about ‘antiquated’ buildings.” I perceive this issue to be critical for our community. However, my chief concern received little attention in your article.

Based on my many years of work at Maple Lane School for incarcerated youth (facility now shuttered), when a physical plant failure occurs, security staff automatically go into high alert. Why? Because inmates seem to instinctively sense the opportunity for escape. Staff are understandably distracted, “escape openings” can occur, the run-risk is heightened, and staff safety is placed in harm’s way, not to mention the community at large.

I hope our courthouse building failures are addressed soon. Personally, I’m in favor of a new facility that features the many new architectural safeguards now available for courts and correctional systems.

Please continue the very important coverage of this issue.