Today on Inland Journal, the Spokane County criminal justice system is in the middle of a series of reforms with the goal of reducing the jail population. We’ll talk with Superior Court Judge Maryann Moreno about changes in the court system and about the possibility of a new jail in Spokane. And we’ll talk with three participants in Saturday’s Eastern Washington Legislative Conference for the region’s religious leaders.

Every year, religious leaders from eastern Washington hold their legislative conference, to talk about issues about which they want to speak about with their elected officials in Olympia. This year’s conference will be Saturday at the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.

This month, we’re talking with a few of the people who oversee the Spokane County criminal justice system to gauge where it is as we enter 2019. We’ve talked with County Commissioner Al French, who is trying to prepare a measure for the November ballot to fund a new jail. Last week, we talked with Maggie Yates, who administers the Regional Law and Justice Council, which includes police, court officials and others in the system. Today, we meet Superior Court Judge Maryann Moreno, who is a member

Spokane's new EnVision Center is due to open next week. Mayor David Condon calls it a one-stop shop for people who need a variety of services from a variety of providers. Doug Nadvornick talks with the mayor about it.

Talk has arisen again about building a new Spokane County jail. A few weeks ago, Commissioner Al French told us he’s working with the city and other community leaders to craft a ballot measure for funding a new facility. The jail would be one part of the strategy for reforming the county’s criminal justice system. The Regional Law and Justice Council has been working on and monitoring new ideas and programs as a response to a report called “Blueprint for Reform.” It was issued in 2013 by a three