Bellingham forum to protest loss of position that assists parolees

PETER JENSEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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The Whatcom Re-Entry Coalition is sponsoring a forum Tuesday, Oct. 27, to protest the state Department of Corrections cutting its 26 re-entry specialists, who work with recently released prison inmates.

The state government's budget troubles necessitate the Nov. 1 cuts, but the coalition contends they will endanger public safety because the specialists work to transition high-risk offenders, including sex offenders and the dangerously mentally ill, back into society.

"(The position is) one we can't afford to lose," said Jim Cozad, the coalition's volunteer director.

Whatcom County's specialist works at the Department of Corrections field office in Bellingham and also works with offenders in Skagit and Island counties.

The 7 p.m. forum will be at St. Luke's Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway. Local police chiefs, mayors and state legislators have been invited to attend.