Dear Governor Inslee and Caucus Leadership,

It is time for the Governor and Legislators of Washington State to recognize that the Department of Corrections (DOC) is in critical need of
good governance, training, independent oversight, and a deeper understanding and respect for human dignity and our community values
that create community safety. The Governor recently stated in your commendable stance on refugees; the state of Washington has a
reputation as a place that embraces compassion and equality and eschews fear-mongering.
Our criminal justice system and penal practices like our response to other community and global problems we face must be driven by
.sound policy making and offer meaningful improvements.
Washington State can be a leader in reducing crime, repairing harm and decreasing the need for incarceration by creating a strong
framework that recognizes the true values of our communities
Negative penal practices that have occurred and continue to persist involving the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) have
caused harm to both the public and the prisoners as well as their families and communities.
These practices involve prisoners being released earlier than their earned release dates as well as kept beyond their earned release dates
without justification or adequate understanding of the individual prisoners status, risk or needs. Earned release time and earned good time
have lost their purpose and meaning under our current practices.
There have also been many prisoners who have died because of negligent medical care and others whose illnesses have progressed to a
life threatening conditions, because they were not provided treatment soon enough. Many prisoners lack poor knowledge of their own health
conditions and appropriate care because of the lack of education provided and appropriate access to medical records and timely care.
Routine use of Strip searches has continued and increased as a means to strip human dignity and degrade those in custody despite the
reality that these practices do not stop the flow of contraband nor address the availability of alternatives that provide more dignified
options. This practice is a serious threat to the the mental health of all those incarcerated as well as staff who are required to abide by the
current strip search policy.
Others who are on community custody have been neglected because of a lack of solid individualized case management and community
involvement. Many are not provided treatment and support and return to criminal activity due to the lack of adequate programming and job
training and placement both while they are in the prison system and also while they are out in the community.
All of these practices have occurred because the Department of Corrections has not established transparency and has very little if no
oversight. The Attorney Generals Office has made it very clear that they serve as legal counsel to state agencies and officials. They provide
legal advice and representation to state agencies and officials, including the Department of Corrections, they do not have decision making
authority over policy or operational matters.

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed and won because the Department of Corrections has lost its purpose and refuse to take responsibility
for their actions. These are lawsuits are paid for by taxpayers at the expense of our communities. Washington cannot fund education for our
children but we seem to be able and willing to pay out millions each year due to the lack of accountability of the Department of Corrections.
This agency has a budget of over one BILLION dollars a year and the recidivism rate is constantly increasing.
SB 6154: Creating an office of the Corrections Ombuds, will put in place and independent Ombuds office with an oversight committee. This
committee includes representatives from the Department and the Union representing the staff along with legislators, family members, former
prisoners and others from the communities of Washington. It is a way to work together as the original legislative intent set forward in creating
the Department of Corrections requires.
Sincerely,
The Citizens of Washington State

Petition for an Independent Ombuds Office for Department of Corrections

Petition summary and
background

Creating oversight and a way for the Department of Corrections to comply with the legislative intent that created it.

Action petitioned for

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to bring accountability to WA DOC

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