Statewide Reentry Council — Biennial Report (State of Washington, Dec. 1, 2020)
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Summary
The biennial report of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council to the Legislature, dated December 1, 2020. The report states it satisfies the legislative requirement under RCW 43.380.050(4), and it opens with a letter to Gov. Inslee and legislators from co-chairs Dan Satterberg and Tarra Simmons. It outlines lessons learned during COVID-19 and summarizes racial disparities in Washington's criminal legal system. Its recommendations are to end housing discrimination and homelessness following reentry, including passing the Housing Justice Act; to center community organizations and provide individualized reentry plans; and to reduce prison and jail populations. It states that approximately 8% of individuals released from DOC custody report releasing directly into homelessness. The report closes with an April 7, 2020 council letter to Governor Inslee on release planning.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“Statewide Reentry Council — Biennial Report (State of Washington, Dec. 1, 2020).”
Original at app.leg.wa.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2020-statewide-reentry-council-2020-report-final-redacted-4273ce7a-9ff9-43d/
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State of Washington
STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL
1011 Plum Street SE - PO Box 42525 - Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 - (360) 725-4000
Dec. 1, 2020
Dear Gov. Inslee and Washington State Legislators:
Please accept this letter as part of our biennial report on the activities and recommendations of
the Washington Statewide Reentry Council. As you are fully aware, the entire state continues to
face extraordinary challenges due to COVID-19. People who are reentering our communities
following incarceration face all of the same challenges posed by a global pandemic, and face
additional, substantial barriers to accessing housing, healthcare, and employment. Investing in
successful reentry strengthens individuals, families, and communities, and improves public
safety by reducing recidivism.
The Statewide Reentry Council (council) unanimously agreed to center race equity in all of its
practices and recommendations. This report documents some of the ongoing racial disparities in
the Washington criminal legal system. The current national focus on race equity and policing
reform must include addressing racial disparities at all levels of the criminal legal system and not
ignore mass incarceration. This report includes the council's race equity statement and action
plan1 and the council urges all entities working on reentry to reflect on these issues and take bold
and decisive action.
Since its inception, the council has held a strong focus on legislation and statewide executive
policies. COVID-19 created the necessity to engage more directly with people and communities
in dire need of reentry support. We held three listening and resource sharing sessions for service
providers, state agency representatives and directly impacted people and their family members
since March and plan to schedule more. We also used the council budget to provide community
organizations with vital funding for housing, transportation and communication for people who
recently exited Washington correctional facilities. The details of these grants are outlined in the
report.2
The council and a large and diverse group of stakeholders have identified and pursued various
areas to improve reentry, which is included in this report's appendix. Our strategic planning
sessions also identified the following reentry related focus areas: racial equity, housing, centering
community, education, employment, and improving communication between and among the
1
See Appendix D
2
See Appendix B
council, government agencies, community organizations and currently and formerly incarcerated
people and their families.
For the sake of providing a narrow focus and specific recommendations for this report, we are
limiting the scope of its body and we urge the Governor's office, Legislature, and state agencies
to work with the council and other key stakeholders to:
1. Address the ongoing housing crisis facing people with arrest and conviction records, including
rental housing discrimination.
2. Boost and center community involvement in, and ownership of, reentry, increase training for
and access to technology and provide comprehensive/holistic individualized reentry planning and
services for everyone who will or may be leaving our prisons and jails.
3. Reduce the prison and jail populations, which is particularly urgent due to COVID-19.
Thank you for your commitment to improving reentry in Washington.
Sincerely,
Dan Satterberg, co-chair Tarra Simmons, co-chair
King County Prosecuting Attorney Executive Director, Civil Survival Project
Biennial Report of the
Statewide Reentry Council
Pursuant to RCW 380.040(4)
December 1, 2020
WASHINGTON STATEWIDE
REENTRY COUNCIL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE
Lisa Brown, Director
2.2
Acknowledgments
Statewide Reentry Council Washington State Department of Commerce
The Honorable Dan Satterberg, Co-Chair, Diane Klontz, assistant director, Community
Prosecutors Services and Housing Division
Tarra Simmons, Co-Chair, Individual Reentering Graham Parrington, policy and communications
Community coordinator, Community Services and Housing
Division
Francis Adewale, Public Defenders
Brittany Lovely, program coordinator, Statewide
Danielle Armbruster, Department of Corrections Reentry Council
Kim Bogucki, Community Leaders Contact:
Lydia Flora Barlow, Businesses and Employers Christopher Poulos, executive director, Statewide
Reentry Council
Durell Green, Individual Reentering Community 360-701-1039
christopher.poulos@commerce.wa.gov
Lieutenant Ian Huri, Law Enforcement
Ayodele Idowu, Faith-Based Organizations or
Communities Washington State Department of Commerce
1011 Plum St. SE
Karen Lee, Housing Providers
PO Box 42525
Linda Olsen, Crime Victims Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Pat Seibert-Love, Community and Technical www.commerce.wa.gov
Colleges
For people with disabilities, this report is available on
request in other formats. To submit a request, please
Winona Stevens, Tribal Affairs call 360.725.4000 (TTY 360.586.0772)
WASHINGTON STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Reentry Council Activity and Progress........................................................................................................ 13
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Appendices ............................................................................................................................................... 16
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 1
Executive Summary
The Washington State Legislature created the Statewide Reentry Council in 2016 to improve public safety and
outcomes for people reentering the community from incarceration (43.380 RCW). This report satisfies the
legislative requirement under RCW 43.380.050(4) to "submit to the governor and appropriate committees of
the legislature a … report of its activities and recommendations by December 1st of its first year of operation,
and every two years thereafter." This report outlines early lessons learned during COVID-19, summarizes the
ongoing racial disparities in Washington's criminal legal system, provides recommendations for improving
reentry and summarizes council activities and progress.
Key Findings
Systemic racism and racial disparities persist in Washington's criminal legal system, negatively impacting
Black, Indigenous, People of Color individuals, families and communities and perpetuating
intergenerational trauma and poverty.
Access to safe and affordable housing remains a primary barrier to successful reentry.
COVID-19 is especially hazardous and potentially deadly for incarcerated people and people exiting prisons
and jails without proper resources.
Successful reentry requires individualized planning that includes safe and affordable housing, strong
community supports and access to essential technology, including training on using the technology.
Summary of Recommendations
The council identified dozens of reentry-related areas that need improvement. However, the council decided to
focus this report on a narrow set of impactful recommendations listed below. Please see the appendices for a
more expansive list of council, agency and stakeholder focus areas, updates and recommendations.
End Housing Discrimination and Homelessness Following Reentry
Pass the Housing Justice Act.
Expand and fully fund the Department of Corrections (DOC) Housing Voucher Program.
Use vacant public land to provide reentry housing.
Center Community and Family, Expand Technology and Provide
Comprehensive, Individualized Reentry Plans
Fund community organizations and any associated DOC and county staffing needs to provide reentry
services inside prisons and jails and following release.
Expand the use of technology to increase access to families, community-led groups and programs, DOC
programs, education and vocational training.
Provide comprehensive individualized reentry plans beginning upon system entry.
Address Systemic Racial Disparities and COVID-19 Risks by Reducing
Prison and Jail Populations
COVID-19 is especially hazardous for incarcerated people and people exiting incarceration without
sufficient resources and support. Prison and jail populations can and must be safely reduced.
Support DOC agency request legislation to increase "good time."
Support DOC agency request legislation to expand the Graduated Reentry Program.
Support the efforts and recommendations of the Criminal Sentencing Task Force (CSTF) and the
Sentencing Guidelines Commission that would reduce prison and jail populations.
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 2
Recommendations
End housing Discrimination and Homelessness Following Reentry
Access to safe and affordable housing remains a primary barrier to successful reentry following incarceration.
The council emphasized the importance of addressing this crisis in previous reports to the legislature, during
legislative testimony, work sessions, and legislative and community events. The council will continue to do so
until substantial progress has been made.
Approximately 8% of individuals released from DOC custody, or nearly one in 10, report releasing directly into
homelessness. This percentage does not include county jail releases into homelessness, federal prison
releases into homelessness, people releasing into unstable or unsafe housing situations or people who
become houseless after release. In a competitive housing market with a shortage of safe and affordable units,
people with criminal records face the same barriers and the actual discrimination based on the record itself.
Following incarceration, it is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for most people to quickly attain the
necessary rental history, references, deposit, credit score, etc., to rent an apartment successfully.
Even when the stars align to meet all of the standard tenancy requirements, people are often denied because
they cannot pass the background check based on their arrest or conviction records alone. People with sex-
related convictions or convictions involving violence face the most barriers and discrimination when
attempting to attain housing. Perhaps surprisingly, given the recent societal interest in forgiveness for "non-
violent drug offenses," people with drug distribution convictions are also often categorically banned from many
rental housing providers' properties. People with sex, violence, and drug distribution convictions often end up
indefinitely stuck in transitional group-living situations, become forced to live in buildings only with other
people in the same boat or end up experiencing homelessness. None of those scenarios is conducive to
successful reentry, particularly when taken out of necessity and desperation rather than choice.
Access to safe and stable housing for people directly impacted by incarceration is paramount to healthy
individuals, families, communities, successful reentry and societal reintegration. Without safe and stable
housing, it is nearly impossible to maintain health care, including mental health and substance use disorder
treatment, or to maintain employment or participate in vocational training or higher education. Separate
reports could be written on each of these topics as they relate to reentry. However, pursuing any of them is
nearly impossible without housing. Safe and stable housing is the foundation for successful reentry upon
which nearly all else is built. While data exists on how many people in Washington release immediately into
homelessness from DOC custody, little data is available on long-term housing issues for people with records.
This topic warrants further study. In all likelihood, Washington would mirror the Prison Policy Initiative's
troubling results in its report on homelessness among formerly incarcerated people.1
Next Steps
Pass the "Housing Justice Act"
Prospective tenants, property owners, and property management companies currently have no direction
whatsoever from the state on when, if ever, housing discrimination based on a prior criminal arrest or
conviction is permissible. People of Color, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people, are disparately
impacted by criminal records and, therefore, disparately impacted by rental housing discrimination based on
1 Prison Policy Institute, "Nowhere to Go: Homelessness among formerly incarcerated people,"
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/housing.html
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 3
criminal records. Black (African American) people, particularly black men, are by far the most targeted and
negatively impacted by Washington's criminal legal system.2 The Housing Justice Act3 would help address
rental housing discrimination against prospective tenants with arrest and conviction records that meet all
other qualified tenant criteria. As previously noted, safe and stable housing is fundamental to successful
reentry and community reintegration. Denying people access to rental housing due to past convictions is
detrimental to successful reentry and public safety and perpetuates racism.
Expand Funding and Eligibility for the DOC Housing Voucher Program
The DOC Housing Voucher Program contracts with housing providers across the state to temporarily fund the
housing expenses for eligible people releasing from DOC custody. People who are not releasing to community
custody supervision are currently ineligible. The council recommends expanding eligibility for all people leaving
DOC custody, creating a similar county jails program, and fully funding each. The council advises against strict,
short time limits on these programs. Currently, the DOC program is limited to a maximum of three months due
to funding limitations. It is less costly, in many ways, to invest in reentry than to set people up for failure.
Use Vacant Public Land for Reentry Housing
Public lands and vacant buildings are frequently used to house vulnerable populations. Quixote Village is a
great example of this.4 Quixote Village resulted from organizing and advocacy by people living in a homeless
encampment in Olympia who partnered with a nonprofit organization and eventually received local, state, and
federal government funding to build tiny homes on public land in Olympia. Thurston County leased the property
to the nonprofit, Panza, at a rate of $1 per year for 41 years. Weld Seattle has also used creative types of
housing for its program participants, many of whom have been impacted by the criminal legal system.5
Use DOC Facilities to Build Transportable Housing
The council recommends using public, vacant land and buildings specifically to house people who have
reentered or are otherwise impacted by the criminal legal system. Further, the council recommends exploring
the possibility of constructing transportable housing units inside existing DOC factories. DOC has expressed
initial interest and support of this idea, which currently remains in its early stages. This recommendation came
directly from an incarcerated person whom executive director, Christopher Poulos, met inside a DOC facility
and stayed in contact following their release. Most people in DOC custody that can work are required to work
when a facility job is available. Using existing DOC factories and tools for incarcerated people to build
something that they will personally be able to use or that other formerly incarcerated people will be able to use
adds value to their work and centers and shifts agency/ownership over the reentry process directly to
incarcerated people.
Center Community Organizations, Expand Access to Technology and
Provide Comprehensive, Individualized Reentry Planning
The council strongly believes that individuals, families and communities play essential roles in facilitating
successful reentry. While DOC and county jails have a fundamental role in promoting successful reentry, it is
not prudent or realistic to expect them to be entirely responsible for reentry matters. It is time to further
resource capable community organizations to provide reentry services. These services and supports include
2 See Figure 1
3 Bill Information, SB 6490, Addressing Housing Concerns for Individuals Impacted by the Criminal Justice System, Washington State
Legislature, https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6490&Year=2019&Initiative=false
4 Quixote Communities, Quixote Village. http://www.quixotecommunities.org/olympia-quixote-village.html
5 Weld Seattle Website, https://www.weldseattle.org/housing
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 4
but are not limited to housing, transportation, cell phones, access to treatment for addiction and other mental
health issues, mentorship (including credible messengers6), family reunification and faith-based support. This
recommendation also includes supporting community organizations working inside DOC and county jail
facilities, much of which has now ceased due to COVID-19.
The council also strongly supports the full implementation of Gov. Inslee's Executive Order 16-05 "Building
Safe and Strong Communities through Successful Reentry," which directed DOC and Juvenile Rehabilitation to
expand technology infrastructure to support successful reentry safely. In 2017, agency updates on their
progress related to Executive Order 16-05 were published, but more work remains. This technology
infrastructure should include internet access and virtual platforms/resources for incarcerated people to
provide more access to services, education, and community programs, using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.
When asked for input on this, a council member sent the following related to education specifically:
"Providing basic education to justice-involved individuals is the minimum standard for providing opportunities to the
lowest levels of employment. Is that who we are? Five years ago, the standard for sustainable living wage
employment was a one-year credential or more. Today, the minimum standard is a two-year post-secondary
education to pursue sustainable employment to earn above-poverty wages. It is our intent to work to provide justice-
involved individuals equal access to quality high-demand, high-wage education that leads to sustainable living-wage
employment. This effort enhances prison culture, community safety, healthy families and communities. It is a
pathway to closing one prison at a time through reducing recidivism. Given the disproportionate incarceration rate
and higher sentencing structures of Black, Brown and Indigenous People, it is imperative we look to provide at a
minimum a post-secondary education. Employers are looking for both vocation-skilled and academically prepared
workers.
Prison education programs operate without secured internet, without access to on-campus support such as library
access, regular access to computer support, collaborative learning communities and/or research-rich technology. An
increasing level of classroom support is moving to online-only availability. Educational textbooks and materials are
quickly becoming historical relics. Open Educational Resources are becoming standard in educational environments
in the community. COVID -19 has forced all educational systems, K-12 through universities across our nation, to rely
on technology, equipment, software and programming. It is critical prison education move forward on post-
secondary education and secured internet, to mitigate barriers and challenges for justice-involved individuals to
navigate successful reentry transition."
-Council Member Pat Seibert-Love
The council urges that technological expansion be made swiftly and used for formal education programs,
family and other social interactions, access to community resources and programs and whatever else may be
safe and conducive to successful reentry.
One note of caution is that the council is wary of the possibility of technology replacing all or much in-person
contact on a long-term basis. While the council urges the full use of vital technological advancements, they
must not be used as an excuse to reduce in-person family visits and other in-person events, even if doing so
may produce cost savings or a perceived improvement in security.
6 The Atlantic, "Reporting for Work Where You Once Reported for Probation,"
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/12/credible-messengers-reform-criminal-justice-system/603514/
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 5
Next Steps
Create and Implement Comprehensive Individualized Reentry Plans for All People Leaving DOC Custody
The council continues to urge the full implementation of comprehensive individualized reentry planning for all
people who will be leaving DOC custody. This planning should begin upon system entry and adapt the
incarceration itself as much as possible to be conducive to successful reentry based on individual needs.
Some progress has been made since the council's 2018 report, which contained the same recommendation.
DOC is now using a three-phase reentry planning process for people participating in the Graduated Reentry
Program. DOC intends to begin implementing this new and improved reentry planning process for the general
population.
The council further recommends that family, community members and organizations where people will be
releasing be included in the planning process and, when possible, participate with the person being released to
develop and implement the plans. For this to be effective, the person being released must take ownership of
the plan and be centered in its creation and implementation every step of the way. Individualized incarceration
and reentry plans may cover areas included but not limited to physical health, mental health and substance
use, family, faith, employment, and education.
Support and Fund Community Organizations Providing Reentry Services
Centering and supporting community organizations to provide reentry related services is vital. While
government entities play a role in promoting successful reentry, welcoming community members and
organizations from the areas where people will be released from correctional facilities and supporting their
work in the community is essential to promoting successful societal reintegration. When community and
government truly work together to support reentry planning and programs, recidivism is reduced.7
The council recommends that the legislature provide funding to the Department of Commerce to award grants
to community organizations that can provide reentry related services. During 2020, the council and Department
of Commerce administered reentry grants to five separate organizations across the state. Details of these
grants are provided in the summary of council activities and progress and Appendix B. These grants
successfully provided for the immediate transitional needs of people exiting prisons and jails and must be
continued and expanded.
Additional Vital Reentry Changes Needed:
Remove the legislative requirement that DOC releases people to the county of their first conviction. This
law is often non-conducive to successful reentry. People must be released to the area of the state where
they are most likely to succeed, and individualized reentry planning would determine where this is and
whether any victim or other concerns must be considered.
Revise the DOC policy that volunteers may not have contact with people they worked with in DOC custody
after their release. This policy is counterproductive to successful reentry, and changing it has been an
ongoing recommendation from the council since 2017. This policy can be safely amended as long as it is
done so thoughtfully. People need healthy relationships developed with community members while
incarcerated the most upon their release.
7 Washington State Institute for Public Policy, "The Effectiveness of Reentry Programs for Incarcerated Persons:
Findings for the Washington Statewide Reentry Council,"
http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1667/Wsipp_The-Effectiveness-of-Reentry-Programs-for-Incarcerated-Persons-Findings-for-the-
Washington-Statewide-Reentry-Council_Report.pdf
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 6
Create a Reentry Bill of Rights for People who will be exiting DOC custody. This proposal overlaps to a
degree with individualized reentry planning and would provide a basic checklist of things that all people
being released should have in place before their release.
Make Social Security cards available to people before release from DOC custody and direct counselors to
proactively ensure people have proper identification before release. Some of the people who are most likely
to have major challenges with reentering successfully are also unable or uncomfortable with vocally
advocating for their reentry needs to be met by staff before release. This must be considered and
addressed, and IDs are just one example of this larger issue.
Address Systemic Racial Disparities and COVID-19 Risks by
Reducing Prison Populations
When people are properly prepared for reentry and provided with the necessary tools to succeed upon release,
prison and jail populations can be dramatically and safely reduced. The US must cease leading the world in the
number of people incarcerated in jails, prisons or otherwise kept under penal control.8 By substantially
reducing jail and prison populations, Washington can combat systemic racism and lower the extraordinary
risks associated with COVID-19 for incarcerated people and staff.
The following section outlines racial disparities in Washington's criminal legal system, provides an overview of
reentry in the COVID-19 crisis and the council's related work and provides specific recommendations on
lowering the DOC population. The recommendations are merely vital first steps and not intended to be
exhaustive.
Racial Disparities in the Adult System
African Americans are disparately impacted by Washington's criminal legal system and disproportionately
represented in state prisons. Eighteen percent of people in the Department of Corrections (DOC) custody
identify as Black or African American but compose only 4% of the overall state population.9 Native Americans
and Alaskan Natives make up 6% of the prison population and only 2% of the total state population. Figure 1
shows the ongoing racial disparities in the Washington prison population. For example, between 1995 and
2000, approximately 2,500 Black/African American people were incarcerated per 100,000 Black/African
American residents versus well under 1,000 per 100,000 white people.
8 The Equal Justice Initiative, "The United States Still Has Highest Incarceration Rate in the World,"
https://eji.org/news/united-states-still-has-highest-incarceration-rate-world/
9 Washington State Department of Corrections, "Agency Fact Card, June 2020,"
https://www.doc.wa.gov/docs/publications/reports/100-QA002.pdf
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 7
Figure 1: Washington State Prison Population by Race
Source: Vera Institute of Justice – Incarceration Trends
Racial Disparities in the Youth System
Harmful racial disparities in youth incarceration are also glaring. At each stage of the adjudication system,
youth of color experience worsening outcomes. For example, 56% of youth arrested are white, but only 23% of
the youths ultimately transferred to adult DOC facilities are white, while only 44% of arrests are of Youth of
Color,10 yet 77% of youth ultimately transferred to adult DOC facilities are Youth of Color. The recently formed
Department of Children, Youth, and Families is working hard to continue addressing these disparities. A
summary of their reentry related work is provided in Appendix F.
10 "Youth of Color" refers to all youth not identifying as White/Caucasian. Source: "OJJDP FY 2019 Title II Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Action Plan," https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/WA-PCJJ-Racial-and-Ethnic-Disparities-Plan.pdf
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 8
Figure 2: Disproportionality Worsens for Youth of Color through the System
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Arrest Diversion Detention Confinement Adult Transfer
White Youth Youth of Color
Source: Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, OJJDP FY 2019 Title II Racial and Ethnic Disparities Action Plan,
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/WA-PCJJ-Racial-and-Ethnic-Disparities-Plan.pdf
Council staff requested member feedback regarding racial disparities in Washington's criminal legal system
and decided to publish the council member response below in its entirety.
"The council's decision to center race equity in all our work should be embraced by the legislature and public
administrators. We urge all reentry-related agencies to commit to work together with, take guidance from, be part of,
and hold our agencies and ourselves accountable to community-based movements in communities most affected by
structural racialization and structurally racialized systems. If we are to make progress toward equity and justice, we
need to work in solidarity and take guidance from Black, Indigenous, and People/Communities of Color who are most
harmed by systemic oppression. The council has committed to providing platforms for the impacted to hear their
voices and to convey those voices to the executive, legislative and judicial arm of our state governance structure.
Policies geared towards breaking down silos and barriers that still keep our returning citizens outside the cycle of
belonging must be uprooted. Our commitment to providing voices for the voiceless and those who have lived
experience of oppression should be backed with opportunities for employment, housing and educational
advancement. We strongly believe that only by working together, taking guidance from and partnering with
communities most affected can we affect real change and be accountable to our communities."
-Council Member Francis Adewale
The current widespread national focus11 on promoting racial justice and equity must include, and center on,
solutions to racially disparate policing practices and mass incarceration. Racial justice and equity efforts that
avoid these topics ignore one of the most glaring and ongoing systemic injustices in the history of the United
11 The Christian Science Monitor, "Police Reforms Surge after Months of Racial Justice Protests,"
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2020/1002/Police-reforms-surge-after-months-of-racial-justice-protests
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 9
States: the over-policing, targeting, and disparate incarceration of Black, Indigenous and other People of
Color.12
COVID-19 and Reentry
COVID-19 has made the already daunting process of successful reentry even more difficult. Access to
programs normally provided inside prisons, particularly those delivered by community members and
organizations, has largely been halted entirely. As a result, incarcerated people are not receiving the services
and connections necessary to succeed upon release. Access to housing, employment, physical health care,
and mental health/substance use disorder treatment upon release has been negatively impacted. Access to
social engagement with family and friends has also been negatively impacted, and people are now reentering a
society that has, in many ways, "gone virtual," often without being provided with the basic technology skills to
adapt successfully. Being incarcerated and even experiencing reentry can also be traumatic, terrifying, and
potentially deadly during a pandemic.13 The following section details the council's COVID-19 response and
summarizes early lessons learned.
Council COVID-19 Response
The council wrote Gov. Inslee and DOC Secretary Sinclair offering the council's assistance and then took the
following actions:
Organized and hosted statewide resource-sharing virtual meetings addressing the COVID-19 crisis
Connected individuals, family members, government entities and community organizations seeking reentry
guidance with appropriate and available resources
Held regular meetings with DOC leadership regarding their COVID-19 response
Participated in community meetings related to the COVID-19 crisis inside Washington's prisons and jails
Provided direct funding to support reentry services to five community organizations across the state
COVID-19 Related Grants and DADS Grant
The council allocated $80,000 to meet the immediate needs of reentering people during the COVID-19 crisis.
The legislature allocated $280,000 to support Divine Alternatives for Dads Services (DADS).
Appendix B includes grantee reports that include the number of people provided with assistance, what
assistance was provided and a budget breakdown. Some grantees included additional valuable information in
their reports as well.
Early Reentry Related Lessons and Reaffirmations from COVID-19:
Prison and jail populations can be thoughtfully reduced without a detriment to public safety. The
overwhelming majority of returns to custody related to COVID-19 releases were technical violations rather
than new, serious crimes. By dedicating more resources to prepare people for release better and providing
necessary services following release, Washington could also dramatically reduce technical violations.
Community members, families and community organizations are fundamental to promoting successful
reentry. The report details this in the recommendations, and the statewide COVID-19 related resource
sharing and listening sessions the council held reaffirm it.
Holistic reentry planning and the full funding and implementation of the plans is essential, particularly
during a pandemic.
12 The Sentencing Project, "Racial Disparity," https://www.sentencingproject.org/issues/racial-disparity/
13 Columbia Legal Services, COVID-19 Resource and Update Page, https://columbialegal.org/policy_reforms/covid-19/. See also:
Reentry Council Letter to Governor Inslee (Appendix G)
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 10
Technology must be further used to increase access to family, DOC programs, education, and all other
programs/activities normally brought into facilities by contractors and volunteers. With physical access to
facilities currently incredibly limited or stopped entirely, this is even more vital.
Technology can also increase accessibility for stakeholders to engage with state government. For example,
recent virtual council meetings and stakeholder listening sessions have had more participation, generally,
and more geographically diverse participation, specifically, than any other council meetings have ever had.
In collaboration with community members and organizations, staff, or independently, incarcerated people
are well-positioned to teach and help one another prepare for reentry and should be properly supported to
do so. The Black Prisoners' Caucus' Taking Education and Creating History (TEACH)14 and the Reentry and
Community Health (REACH)15 at the Monroe Correctional Complex are great examples of this. This work
can continue even in the current crisis.
Next Steps
Support DOC Agency Request Legislation to Increase "Earned Time"
In response to the "Truth in Sentencing Movement"16 during the move towards mass incarceration in the US,
many states restricted or eliminated parole or reduced "earned time," which refers to an amount of the formal
sentence that does not need to be served so long as a person who is incarcerated does not violate certain
rules or laws. Washington was no exception, and these changes contributed to the growth in the state prison
population. Given the lessons learned about mass incarceration and the current pandemic, which presents a
massive budget shortfall combined with the danger to incarcerated people and staff, DOC is now poised to
introduce agency request legislation that would increase good time allowances and lower the state prison
population.
DOC Proposal for 50% Earned Time
Under current law, certain people can earn up to 33% off their prison sentence for good behavior. This proposal
would change the allowable amount of earned time on a sentence from a maximum of 33% to a maximum of
50% if the offense were not classified as a violent, sex, or crime against a person offense, to include drug
offenses. Based on a report by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, incarcerated people who were
awarded the increased earned time percentage had a 3.5% lower felony recidivism rate after three years than
incarcerated individuals who stayed in prison longer.
Earned Time on Weapon Enhancements
Currently, if an incarcerated person has a weapon enhancement on one or more counts, the enhancement(s)
are served consecutive to one another and consecutive to the underlying sentence. The current law does not
allow incarcerated people to receive any earned time for the weapon enhancement portion of an incarcerated
person's sentence but does allow earned time on the underlying sentence.
This proposal would allow earned time on an incarcerated person's entire sentence, not just a portion of the
sentence. The rate of time earned for the enhancement portion would be consistent with the rate allowed for
the underlying sentence.
The average daily population (ADP) savings estimate assumes a prospective and retroactive application of the
proposed sentencing changes for any incarcerated person with a sentence that includes a firearm or other
14 The Black Prisoners' Caucus, "TEACH," http://www.blackprisonerscaucus.org/teach/
15 Washington State Department of Corrections, "Changes from Within," https://www.doc.wa.gov/news/2018/08242018.htm
16 United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, "Special Report: Truth in Sentencing in State Prisons,"
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/tssp.pdf
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 11
deadly weapon enhancement. It would require any person currently incarcerated, as of the effective date of
this legislative change, to have their estimated release date recalculated to reflect the increased percent of
earned time allowed. This proposal was included in the Sentencing Guidelines Commission Recommendations
as part of the 2019 Review of the Sentencing Reform Act.
This proposal makes the following amendments to RCW.9.94A.729:
Remove the restriction that weapon enhancements are not eligible for earned time. This change would be
applied retrospectively to any applicable sentences.
Change the maximum amount of earned time on a sentence from 33% to 50% if the offense was not
classified as a violent, sex, or crime against a person offense. This change would be applied retroactively
and prospectively for anyone who did not commit a crime against a person.
Note of Concern:
The council supports efforts to increase good time. However, the council is concerned that the proposal
outlined above may:
Increase racial disparities in the system
Exclude many people for crimes/convictions that often have far lower recidivism rates than some crimes
and convictions included in the proposal
Reduce the overall impact of the legislation
Support DOC Agency Request Legislation to Expand the Graduated Reentry Program
The DOC is requesting legislative changes that would reduce the prison population by creating an option for
incarcerated people with approved housing plans, regardless of offense or sentence type, to serve the final 150
days of their sentences in partial confinement on electronic home monitoring under the jurisdiction of DOC.
Additionally, individuals serving sentences for property and other offenses would serve little to no time in a
prison facility. This proposal would allow certain incarcerated individuals to serve all but 120 days of their
sentence in partial confinement on electronic home monitoring. This proposal would not apply to people
currently serving sentences for violent crimes, sex crimes and other crimes against persons.
This proposal would not apply to people subject to deportation, civil commitment or interstate compact. This
proposal would make the following amendments to RCW 9.94A.733:
Eliminates the 12-month minimum confinement in a state correctional facility requirement
Removes the 6-month maximum on participation for the graduated reentry program
Support the Recommendations of the Criminal Sentencing Task Force and the Sentencing Guidelines
Commission
The Criminal Sentencing Task Force (CSTF) is currently working on a proposal of dozens of recommendations
related to sentencing and reentry. Councilmember Lydia Flora Barlow serves as a co-chair of the CSTF, and
many of the reentry specific recommendations were written and submitted by council executive director
Christopher Poulos. The CSTF is still working through its internal process, and the current list of potential
recommendations is available on their website.17 The council will support all CSTF recommendations that align
with the council's principles and urges the governor and legislature to do the same.
17 For readers unable to access the web, CSTF materials may be available upon request by contacting:
Ruckelshaus Center
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 12
Reentry Council Activity and Progress
The council focused its attention on three main areas: legislative action, executive branch action and
community engagement. Below is a summary of each focus area.
Legislative Action and Progress
During the last three legislative sessions and interims, the council:
Testified for legislation, presented during work sessions, held council "Hill Days," legislative luncheons, and
other events to share the council's priorities, and met with legislators, staff, and community/coalition
members, resulting in the passage of 19 Statewide Reentry Council priority bills
Led or participated in coalitions including but not limited to addressing rental housing discrimination
against people with records and restoring voting rights for people on community supervision
Actively worked on the legislature's Criminal Sentencing Task Force and provided recommendations
Regularly advised legislators and the governor's office on legislation both proactively and upon request
Formed and administered a council legislative subcommittee, which meets at a minimum of once weekly
during legislative sessions
Formulated legislative priorities in advance of each legislative session and adapted/amended throughout
the session as necessary
Executive Branch Action and Progress
The council has found that much of the work related to improving reentry can come through executive branch
policy change, agency culture change, and breaking down silos and increasing collaboration among agencies.
To advance this work, the council:
Held monthly meetings with DOC leadership on reentry related matters and the COVID-19 crisis
Recommended the formation of, and participated in, the Interagency Reentry Working Group to the
governor's office, which was led by Results Washington and included representation from all key state
agencies related to reentry
State IDs are now available for most people in DOC custody upon release
Recommended that multiple-stage, individualized reentry plans be developed by DOC, which they now have
been, are currently being utilized for people in the Graduated Reentry program, and will be expanded to
include the general population within DOC custody
Assisted with planning and presented at the Governor's Results Washington events related to reentry
Regularly consulted with and advised the governor's staff directly on matters related to reentry
Recommended ongoing action and accountability related to Gov. Inslee's Executive Order 16-05 related to
reentry
Created a Corporate Outreach Plan, in collaboration with Commerce and DOC, under Executive Order 16-05
Recommended and pursued prison reforms including but not limited to implementing fundamental
changes used in Oregon, California, Connecticut, North Dakota and Norway
Worked with the Amend organization, DOC, and other key stakeholders to further implementation of
transforming correctional culture to be more conducive to successful reentry
901 5th Avenue, Suite 2900
Seattle WA 98164-2040
Phone: (206) 428-3021
Email: sentencing.taskforce.ruckelshaus@wsu.edu
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 13
Prison and Jail Action and Involvement
Before COVID-19, council members and staff regularly visited prisons and jails across the state. Activities
included but were not limited to:
Attended, listened, and spoke at numerous events, including but not limited to events sponsored by or
involving: Asian Pacific Islanders celebration, Black Prisoners' Caucus, White Bison 12-step group, White
Bison Sweat Ceremony, Powwow, Therapeutic Community, Trade-Related Apprenticeship Course,
Correctional Industries, Spokane Jail, Clark County Jail, American Legion, Concerned Lifers Organization,
REACH at Twin Rivers Unit and multiple visits to Green Hill School and other visits/interactions with
Juvenile Rehabilitation involved youth, staff, and service providers
Held Statewide Reentry Council meetings inside the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe, Mission
Creek Corrections Center for Women, and the Green Hill School
Community Involvement
The council held meetings, built relationships and hosted and attended events locally and nationally with
organizations including but not limited to those listed below:
Arnold Ventures Northwest Justice Project
Asian Pacific Islanders Pioneer Human Services
Black Prisoners' Caucus Public Defender Association
Civil Survival Project Seattle Central Community College
Cut 50 Seattle University School of Law
Dave's Killer Bread Spokane Bar Association
Defy Ventures The Brennan Center for Justice
Faith Action Network The Sentencing Project
Farestart University of Washington - Seattle
Freedom Project University of Washington – Tacoma
Homeboy Industries Washington Community Action Network
I Did the Time Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Indeed.com Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Just Leadership USA Weld / 1426 Reentry Resource Center
King County Credible Messengers What's Next Washington
Koch Industries White Bison 12-Step Group
MOD Pizza Workforce Foundation
The council's executive director, Christopher Poulos, is a member of the following entities:
Criminal Sentencing Task Force, Reentry Working Group
Governor's Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force
Reentry Link Advisory Board
Underground Ministries Advisory Board
Faces and Voices of Recovery National Criminal Justice Advisory Board
DOC and Office of Corrections Ombuds Work Release Working Group
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 14
Conclusion
Washington currently faces unprecedented challenges to successful reentry due to COVID-19. By working
together, centering community and impacted people, and making strong commitments and investments,
Washington can collectively improve reentry outcomes during this pandemic and beyond. This report's
recommendations will result in little to no deep, fundamental transformation without the strong support and
partnership of the executive branch, legislature, and local government and community stakeholders.
Investing in successful reentry is not without cost, but not investing in successful reentry will result in much
higher costs. Investing in successful reentry and full community reintegration strengthens individuals, families,
communities and has the power to interrupt generational poverty and address trauma so that people and
communities can thrive.
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 15
Appendices
Table of Appendices
Appendix Title Page
Appendix A: Additional Agency and Stakeholder Updates and Recommendations 17
Appendix B: Reentry Council Legislative Funding and COVID-19 Emergency Funding Grantee Reports 21
Appendix C: Reentry Council Strategic Planning Areas of Interest Document 31
Appendix D: Reentry Council Race Equity Statement and Action Plan 34
Appendix E: Department of Corrections Training 37
Appendix F: Department of Children, Youth and Families Juvenile Rehabilitation Progress 44
Appendix G: Reentry Council Letter to Governor Inslee 49
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 16
Appendix A: Additional Agency and Stakeholder Updates and
Recommendations
The council invited people in its network, including government entities, community organizations, and
currently and formerly incarcerated people for input on this report and received the following feedback and
recommendations. Some of the responses received were also incorporated into the body of the report. This
input is provided with minimal edits.
1. Focus on reducing the impact of the sex offense registry on registrants. Research does not support the registry
success claims, which shows that it leads to higher risks associated with re-offense, including the inability to
create community, find safe housing and find work. This higher risk is amplified in Washington for level 2 and 3
registrants who experience stigmatization in their neighborhoods upon release and every time they move.
If there is concern that someone is not yet healthy enough to live in the community, focus on developing evidence-
based care by using multiple static and dynamic evaluation models (instead of the current single static model)
and Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) based therapy coupled with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and
begin this care as soon as they enter the prison system, to be continued upon release. These changes would
further reduce recidivism for a group with the second-lowest recidivism rate in Washington (after murder).
2. Focus on diversion — both pre-booking diversion on the front end and diversion within the system in drug courts
and other therapeutic alternatives.
3. Input related to the council's focus areas of the report:
a. Racial equity:
i. Use data to define successful reentry
ii. Commit outright to increase successful reentries among Black and African American community
members
iii. Require training on allyship, covering privilege and the experience of the Black and African
American community
b. Housing:
i. Create an action plan to address the unique requirements of formerly incarcerated people who
become homeless
1. King County's new Regional Homelessness Authority five-year plan does not yet prioritize
reentry
2. "Required to address at least youth/young adults, families, veterans, single adults,
seniors, and those with acute behavioral challenges"
https://regionalhomelesssystem.org/
ii. Extend the eviction moratorium beyond Safe Start phase 4 until Washington makes a full
economic recovery
4. Focus on housing and return to having programs like Pioneer Human Services running the Work Release program
in Washington.
5. Every formerly incarcerated individual wants to feel successful, competent, confident and connected, and every
professional who serves formerly incarcerated individuals wants to feel successful, competent, confident and
connected. It seems that everyone wants the same thing.
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 17
It is possible to create a system where everyone feels successful, but it will take a culture shift and a willingness
to change our behaviors before trying to change others' behaviors.
Focus on the impact of prison education on recidivism. What if prison education was designed to create "aha,
heart and soul," non-religious experiences for students? Currently, the focus is on completing courses, passing
tests and acquiring work skills. Reducing recidivism is more than adopting a program; it is about changing hearts
and souls, about helping individuals become different persons.
Example: The Future Now project at Bronx Community College was created for young people leaving Rikers Island
jail. Many project graduates have gone on to college; some have come back to work in the Future Now system. It
has received awards and consistently has higher than average success rates for passing the GED and completing
community college after three years. A consultant from Columbia University's Center for Institutional and Social
Change is currently writing a report about FN's success.
6. Two Recommendations on Housing and Employment:
a. The first recommendation relates to one of the key priority areas noted – Housing. Is there a similar law
to "Ban the Box" for employment in place that relates to housing applications? Are landlords in
Washington allowed to ask rental applicants about their criminal records as part of the application
process? If so, could there be a “Ban the Box” effort in the area of housing that would be a statewide
requirement? The “Ban the Box” movement gained greater legitimacy and momentum when several large
and visible employers got behind this initiative. Would it be possible to identify certain property
management firms in Washington that might support a “Ban the Box” for housing applications and work
in partnership with state and local government agencies to change laws and practices?
b. Second recommendation: Develop stakeholder partnerships to pursue new and novel strategies for
expanding employment opportunities for individuals being released from incarceration
7. Jail, Pretrial, Prison, and Supervision Reforms
a. Jail and pretrial reforms
i. Increase jail oversight by state and county health departments
ii. Dramatically reduce the arrest and prosecution of people for misdemeanor offenses
iii. End court fees and fines
iv. Eliminate the use of Assault 3 as a charging option for people who were in a behavioral health
crisis at the time of the assault
v. End the suspension of drivers’ licenses for unpaid tickets and other unpaid costs
vi. Implement major pretrial detention reform that, among other things, ensures people are not
incarcerated because they are too poor to buy their freedom through bail
b. Prison and Community Supervision Reforms
i. Move funding from misdemeanor probation services to community-based social supports
ii. End the practice of sending people under DOC supervision back to total confinement for
violations that do not present public safety concerns
iii. Impose only individualized, risk-specific restrictions on people convicted of sex offenses,
including restrictions around access to the internet, which is a basic need for people reentering
the community.
iv. Increase the amount of money provided through the housing voucher program to reflect the
increased costs of living
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 18
v. Establish pre-release agreements with SSA so that people releasing from prisons and jails can
receive SSI immediately upon release rather than waiting to apply for these crucial public benefits
until months into their reentry.
vi. Increase the DOC’s earned time accrual rate to 33% for all people, regardless of the underlying
crime.
vii. Establish a process for post-conviction review that would allow people who have served more
than 15 years in prison to be assessed for potential release by an independent community review
board comprised of community stakeholders, including prosecution and defense bar, crime
survivors, and people from communities most impacted by mass incarceration
viii. Pass Emerging Adults legislation that directs resentencing for people convicted when under the
age of 25
ix. Eliminate the use of juvenile points in adult sentencing calculations
x. Pass legislation banning prolonged use of solitary confinement
8. Birth Certificates, Social Security cards, and Earned Release Date (ERD) Recommendations
a. Birth certificates and Social Security cards – prioritize getting these documents to people before their
release.
i. The current theory holds that six months before release, a classification counselor will help a
releasing individual secure these documents. The reality here at Twin Rivers Unit is that it does
not happen -- at all. "If it weren't for the REACH Resources Team to provide these forms and then
assist with completing them, no one I know would have been released with either of these critical
documents."
ii. We need to prioritize getting these documents -- and front load in securing them. Regardless of
time structure, they must be acquired and placed in an individual’s central file pending release.
b. Releasing People on their ERD
i. Poor alignment between housing approval and the 35-day notifier processes frequently results in
people not being released for several months beyond their ERD. This results in annual
incarceration expenses in the millions. More importantly, the inability to plan for release on a
certain date undermines the integrity of all release plans.
1. There appear to be two ways to improve on this significantly:
a. Begin housing voucher applications 90 days before a person’s ERD. This will
provide classification counselors the additional time necessary to search for
suitable housing, which entails completing applications and phone interviews.
b. The most commonly noted delay in the release process is CCO housing approval.
Because we know CCO's are burdened with large caseloads, it seems sensible to
create dedicated positions within the CCO office that deal strictly with housing
approvals.
c. Establish Standardized Volunteer Training
i. Staff from organizations that offer rehabilitation and reentry assistance are required to contact
the Community Partnership Program (CPP) to schedule volunteer training. However, aspiring
volunteers are frequently unable to access training because the CPP office regularly fails to
communicate effectively with applicants or cancel the scheduled training.
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 19
ii. These delays go on for months and even years here at MCC, and eventually, most of the potential
volunteers simply give up and stop trying.
d. Increase Access to Resources
i. Access to resources before and after release needs to be substantially improved. This can be
done in two key ways:
1. By ensuring that volunteer training occurs consistently, community organizations that
specialize in providing transitional assistance will be able to plan and deliver resource
events within DOC facilities.
2. Centralizing support services will allow meaningful access before and after release. This
includes family, friends, and even classification counselors who struggle to maintain their
caseloads while working to identify support services for someone being released.
9. WPPC coalition will be working on forming in-prison program/volunteer policy recommendations in the future:
a. Problem: organizations doing business behind bars state that communication policies between
organizations and students are too restrictive, and with the pandemic, the lack of communication is
harmful.
b. Is it appropriate to make nonprofits pay for staff overtime when they do an event behind bars?
c. The red and yellow badge system does not allow small nonprofits to offer wraparound services, which is
an evidence-based best practice. It also makes it hard/impossible to hire formerly incarcerated people on
supervision into organizations that work behind bars. In some cases, these are people who helped start
the organization.
d. The inability to communicate with people when they get out also harms an organization's ability to
determine their impact with data and DOC does not have a system in place to help track an organization's
impact.
e. An organization behind bars should have a say in the next communications system and whether
participants should get infractions for not showing up for programming.
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 20
Appendix B: Reentry Council Legislative Funding and COVID-19
Emergency Funding Grantee Reports
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 21
Grant Report: Statewide Reentry Council Housing Supports
Housing consistently remains the number one resource need reported by our community. Not
only do we share the struggle to finding available and affordable housing with the general
population, our community, people impacted by mass incarceration, face additional barriers
systemic in bias and legalized discrimination when it comes to housing. In addition, many in our
community also have to manage specific stipulations of where they can live upon release that
further exacerbate finding and securing housing.
With these funds, we were able to support people in our community in ways that they had not
been able to be supported before: direct funds for housing. It was imperative that we be able
to move quickly to get folks experiencing a lack of shelter off the streets and into a secure
setting as the pandemic spread through our communities. Our approach to delivery housing
support is anchored in our values of community: because we are in the community, from the
community, and directed by the community, we are able to offer support as a community.
Community-centered support makes a huge difference in outcomes. Because so many people
in our community have experienced so much trauma during our incarceration, that we have a
greater propensity to see agencies and authorities as complicit to our experience. Because we
have been exposed to so much trauma, we also experience a great deal of distrust from
resource providers. Many of us have experienced feeling exploited or not seen for our
humanity, when we are seen as a “client” or as a piece of data. Because the people providing
the housing resources (our Executive Director, Reentry Director, and Reentry CARE
Coordinators) are in relationship with our community, and have lived experience with
incarceration and reentry, they understand the challenges and triggers. Especially during the
COVID-19 pandemic, housing is the number one need reported by our community.
This funding enabled us to support a total of 12 people who were experiencing a lack of shelter
or housing instability and into transitional or permanent housing. Because we are also in the
community and have support staff from the community, we were also able to address other
system impacts that were compounded without stable housing. Some highlights include two
cases where we were able to help individuals move from homelessness to stable, clean and
sober transitional houses. Emergency housing funds got them into a hotel and off the streets
right away. Then, combined with additional support from our Reentry CARE Coordinators, we
were able to help them begin to address the social challenges and get support navigating
through the systems that present so many barriers for people in our community. They went
from homelessness to having a state id card, employment, groceries and other basic needs, and
then we were able to support him getting into transitional housing.
Another individual was about to lose his transitional housing because his voucher was expiring.
So we were able to support him moving into permanent housing in an apartment, where the
FREEDOM PROJECT
8016 S 116th Street, Seattle, WA 98178 | www.freedomprojectwa.org | connect@freeodmprojectwa.org
(206) 325-5678
move-in costs are often insurmountable. This individual is also getting support from our
Reentry team dealing with the emotional challenges of reentry so that he can make a
successful transition.
Another person was released in Spokane and because he was incarcerated on a sex offense
(and had certain restrictions placed on him upon release), he was having a very hard time
finding any kind of housing. With funds from this grant we were able to support him in being
able to rent a permanent stable apartment. Three others had lost their employment due to
the pandemic response, so we were able to provide emergency rental assistance so they could
stay in their homes. As the invoice shows, funds were distributed between emergency housing
(through a negotiated reduced rate at a hotel), transitional housing, movie-in costs for
permanent housing, and rental assistance.
Reentry CARE Coordinators continue to provide direct support to the individuals
supported in through this funding in2 key areas:
1. Trauma intervention support based on peer and community support: We draw upon
holistic frameworks and community development models to hold space for healing
from this trauma. Trauma-informed approaches are used to root practices in empathy
and connection, understanding that residuals of traumatic experiences can show up in
any interaction. Empowerment approaches are applied through group support
activities like Inside Out Toastmasters, Family Circles, Reentry Circles, and race-based
caucusing. These supports are grounded in both the communities most impacted by
incarceration and in connections with people who have been through incarceration
and reentry themselves.
2. Systems navigation tailored to the individual: Care Coordinators address needs for
resources, help people connect to these resources, and navigate through social service
systems. Barriers embedded within these systems can often limit access for those
impacted by incarceration, which disproportionately affects communities of color as a
result. With this understanding of how the system works on an individual, community,
and institutional level, we engage in personalized systems navigation based on a holistic
framework. This navigation support can include building relationships with providers,
supporting people directly impacted find the right person for the resource that is
needed, and responding to phone calls, emails, and letters requesting resources for
housing, employment, education, transportation, medical/health care, drivers licensing,
legal aid, etc.
FREEDOM PROJECT
8016 S 116th Street, Seattle, WA 98178 | www.freedomprojectwa.org | connect@freeodmprojectwa.org
(206) 325-5678
SUMMARY OF SUPPORT PROVIDED:
Person Housing Services utilized
receiving funds
support received
$ 5,039.74 emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent
housing, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 672.10 emergency shelter
$ 1,786.87 emergency shelter, transitional housing, systems
navigation, trauma intervention
$ 1,493.54 transitional housing, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 1,950.00 transitional housing, permanent housing, systems navigation,
trauma intervention
$ 1,300.00 transitional housing, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 805.00 transitional housing, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 500.00 rental assistance, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 500.00 rental assistance
$ 3,665.91 permanent housing, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 336.84 rental assistance, systems navigation, trauma intervention
$ 1,950.00 transitional housing, systems navigation, trauma intervention
TOTAL $ 20,000.00
DISPERSED
FREEDOM PROJECT
8016 S 116th Street, Seattle, WA 98178 | www.freedomprojectwa.org | connect@freeodmprojectwa.org
(206) 325-5678
Statewide Reentry Council Housing Grant $ 20,000.00) Freedom Project
Balance: $ - )
Expenditures to Date: $ 20,000.00 For:
4/17/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ 2,429.90 emergency housing Debit Card
4/27/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ 361.90 emergency housing Debit Card
5/4/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ 361.90 emergency housing Debit Card
5/11/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ (51.70) emergency housing Debit Card
5/18/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ 64.08 emergency housing Debit Card
5/18/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ 229.24 emergency housing Debit Card
5/27/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 1,100.00 transitional housing check #1154 June, July
5/27/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 1,100.00 transitional housing check #1154 un, July
5/27/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 1,950.00 transitional housing check #1154 n, July, Aug
5/27/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 1,950.00 transitional housing check #1154 n, July, Aug
5/27/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 1,300.00 transitional housing check #1154 ly, Aug
5/24/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 393.55 transitional housing check #1155 May
5/24/2020 B-Blessed Housing $ 393.54 transitional housing check #1155 May
5/8/2020 MLK House $ 805.00 transitional housing cashier's check
6/2/2020 rental assistance $ 500.00 rental assistance check #1153
6/4/2020 rental assistance $ 500.00 rental assistance check #1152
6/4/2020 Woodcliffe Apartments $ 2,273.00 permanent housing check #2000
6/4/2020 Kent Hometowne Suites $ 336.84 emergency housing Debit Card
6/25/2020 tal assistance $ 3,665.91 permanent housing check #2007 Spokane (split between SF grant)
6/25/2020 rental assistance $ 336.84 rental assistance Check #2008 Seattle
Dear Washington Statewide Reentry Council,
We were able to serve a total of 25 individuals. The amount we decided to apply to each was changed
from the $600 (which is our current program fee) to $500 (current voucher amount). We were able to
apply $1000 each to 13 individuals, and then $500 each to the remaining 12.
Those chosen to receive this money were based on their voucher expiration dates. 13 of whom still had
2 months left, and most of the remaining 12 had only 1 month left. There were a few individuals that we
applied the funds to early on, but in a relatively short period of time they became ineligible for these
funds due to non-compliance issues. Therefore we allotted the funds to others more deserving.
As of this writing, of the 25 clients were served with this grant money, 1 has transitioned out
successfully, and 24 are still active and compliant in our program. And all but 3 are in financial good
standing with us. Obviously the problems of employment still remain and we are working with these
clients to assist them in finding more stability.
We are confident that this special grant funding played a key role in each of these individual’s ability to
continue their participation in our program, which provides them better opportunities to become stable
and focus on successfully transitioning back into the community when that time comes.
Please feel free to contact me for any follow up or questions you may have.
Thank you,
Barry Dolan
Director of Operations
House of Mercy
PO Box 4204
Federal Way, WA. 98063
Office: 206-651-7840
Cell: 206-551-7022
Participant - Full Name Participant - DOC# Payment Date Amount Received Reference Number2 Services provided Continuity plan
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Inactive - transitioned out on 7/12/20.
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $1,000 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5/12/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
6/24/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
6/24/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
6/24/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
6/24/2020 $500 S20-36501 004 Clean & Sober Housing Currently active
5% Contract Administration fee $1,000
$20,000
Date App # Name Amount request Amount for Amount approved Approval/Denial Paid Paid to Receipt Invoice# Race Ethnicity LBGQA Military gender ent giftcards car/phone/loan
4/27/2020 001 $ 350.00 EES $ 350.00 Approved $ 350.00 Oxford House attached 100 Human American blank no female $ 350.00 $30.00 $ 340.00
4/27/2020 002 $ 340.00 car payment $ 340.00 Approved $ 340.00 Car Hop attached 200 Black African American yes no male $ 850.00 $ 100.00 $60.00
4/27/2020 003 $ 850.00 program fee arrears $ 850.00 Approved $ 850.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 300 mixed Black no no female $ 350.00 $ 200.00 $ 104.46
4/27/2020 004 $ 620.00 program fee arrears $ 350.00 Approved $ 350.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 400 white white no no female $ 620.00 $ 200.00 $71.99
4/27/2020 005 $ 620.00 EES, bus pass, hp, phone $ 620.00 Approved $ 620.00 Oxford House attached 500 Mexican Hispanic no no female $ 640.00 $ 300.00 $ 576.45
4/27/2020 006 $ 640.00 rent arrears $ 640.00 Approved $ 640.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 600 White blank no no female $ 425.00 $ 235.00
4/27/2020 007 $ 425.00 EES $ 425.00 Approved $ 425.00 Oxford House attached 700 white caucasion no no female $ 600.00 $ 235.00
4/27/2020 008 $ 600.00 EES $ 600.00 Approved $ 600.00 Oxford House attached 800 white caucasion yes no male $ 550.00 $ 235.00
4/27/2020 009 $ 660.00 rent arrears $ 550.00 Approved $ 550.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 900 Black& White blank no no female $ 500.00 $ 235.00
4/27/2020 0010 $ 600.00 rent arrears $ 500.00 Approved $ 500.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 1000 caucasion blank no no female $ 525.00 $ 235.00
4/28/2020 0011 $ 100.00 work attire $ 100.00 Approved $ 100.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 1100 hispanic hispanic no no male $ 450.00 $ 235.00
4/28/2020 0012 $ 200.00 housing/hiegene $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 1200 Black African American blank blank male $ 558.00 $ 235.00
5/1/2020 0013 $ 90.00 hygeine/school loan $ 90.00 Approved $ 90.00 CM pick up attached 1300 Black African American no no male $ 667.10 $ 235.00
5/1/2020 0014 $ 525.00 rent arrears $ 525.00 Approved $ 525.00 Lincoln Capital LLC attached 1400 blank blank no no male $ 525.00 $ 200.00
5/1/2020 0015 $ 200.00 work/clothing attire $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 attached 1500 African American Muslim no no male $ 350.00 $ 200.00
5/1/2020 0016 $ 450.00 rent arrears $ 450.00 Approved $ 450.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 1600 Native American non hispanic no no female $ 550.00 $ 235.00
5/3/2020 0017 $ 300.00 work/attire/tools $ 300.00 Approved $ 300.00 attached 1700 white White no no male $ 525.00 $ 300.00
5/3/2020 0018 $ 558.00 rent/late fee $ 558.00 Approved $ 558.00 attached 1800 Native American blank no no male $ 525.00 $ 200.00
5/8/2020 0019 $ 104.46 work equipment/attire $ 104.46 Approved $ 104.46 Lowes attached 1900 Caucasion blank no no male $ 525.00 $ 235.00
5/8/2020 0020 $ 667.10 rent/car ins/phone $ 667.10 Approved $ 667.10 Revive,Cricket/Western attached 2000 Native American Indian no no male $ 200.00 $ 200.00
5/8/2020 0021 $ 306.99 clothing/hygeine/ticket $ 306.99 Approved $ 306.99 Greyhound/Celis attached 2100 Pacific Islander Chammoro no no male $ 750.00 $ 200.00
5/11/2020 0022 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2200 Native American Spokane Tribe no no male $ 595.00 $4,480.00
5/11/2020 0023 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2300 White Caucasion no no male $ 980.00
5/11/2020 0024 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2400 Caucasion White no no male $ 400.00
5/11/2020 0025 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2500 Hispancic Chicano no no male $ 450.00
5/11/2020 0026 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2600 Caucation White no no male $ 850.00
5/11/2020 0027 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2700 Caucasion White no no male $ 525.00
5/25/2020 0028 $ 525.00 June 2020 rent $ 525.00 Approved $ 525.00 Lincoln Capital LLC attached 2800 Caucasion White no no male $ 14,835.10
5/25/2020 0029 $ 235.00 clothing/hygeine $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 2900 Native American Yakima Tribe no no male
5/26/2020 0030 $ 350.00 rent $ 350.00 Approved $ 350.00 Oxford House attached 3000 white german no no female
5/26/2020 0031 $ 550.00 deposit/rent $ 550.00 Approved $ 550.00 Oxford House attached 3100 blank blank no no female Total=19,891.55
5/29/2020 0032 $ 595.00 rent/phone/hygene $ 525.00 Approved $ 525.00 Lincoln Capital LLC attached 3200 white blank no no male
5/29/2020 0033 $ 580.00 rent/phone/hygene $ 525.00 Approved $ 525.00 Lincoln Capital LLC attached 3300 white blank no no male
5/29/2020 0034 $ 595.00 rent/phone/hygene $ 525.00 Approved $ 525.00 Lincoln Capital LLC attached 3400 White caucasion no no male
5/29/2020 0035 $ 200.00 clothing/work attire $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 Walmart attached 3500 White caucasion no no male
5/29/2020 0036 $ 254.00 clothing/work attire $ 254.00 Approved $ 200.00 Walmart attached 3600 White caucasion no no male
5/29/2020 0037 $ 200.00 clothing/work attire $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 Walmart attached 3700 Caucasion White no no male
5/29/2020 0038 $ 235.00 clothing/work attire $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 3800 caucasion White no no male
5/29/2020 0039 $ 750.00 rent/baby stuff/attire $ 750.00 Approved $ 750.00 Oxford/Walmart attached 3900 blank blank no no female
5/29/2020 0040 $ 595.00 rent $ 595.00 Approved $ 595.00 attached 4000 African American blank no no male
2-Jun 0041 $ 980.00 rent/arrears $ 980.00 Approved $ 980.00 Manor Vale Apartments attached 4100 blank blank no no male
6/3/2020 0042 $ 450.00 rent/work attire $ 400.00 Approved $ 400.00 attached 4200 white white no no male
6/4/2020 0043 $ 300.00 clothing/work attire $ 300.00 Approved $ 300.00 attached 4300 African American Black no no male
6/4/2020 0044 $ 860.00 rent/bp/clothing/phone $ 450.00 Approved $ 450.00 attached 4400 White caucasion no yes male
6/4/2020 0045 $ 300.00 gas/hygene/clothing $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 Pioneer Center East attached 4500 blank blank no no male
6/4/2020 0046 $ 850.00 program fee arrears $ 850.00 Approved $ 850.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 4600 caucasion white no no male
6/4/2020 0047 $ 235.00 household items $ 235.00 Approved $ 235.00 Walmart attached 4700 Black blank no no male
6/8/2020 0048 $ 200.00 work attire $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 Walmart attached 4800 White blank no no male
6/8/23020 0049 $ 200.00 work attire $ 200.00 Approved $ 200.00 Walmart attached 4900 White blank no no male
6/15/2020 0050 $ 525.00 program fee arrears $ 525.00 Approved $ 525.00 Revive Reentry Services attached 5000 White White no no female
$ 19,891.55
August 26, 2020
Reentry Council Grant Funds
The Tacoma Urban League was able to reach out to the Department of Corrections Community
Justice Center in Tacoma, Washington and speak with Nannette Borders, who provides resources
to reentry clients, to inform her of funds that we had available for reentry clients. We were able
to connect to six probation officers who had clients in need of housing, rental assistance,
employment needs, and basic essential needs.
Some rental needs, we could not meet due to re-entry clients violating their probationary terms,
not following through with required document to secure funds such as a rental agreement or
approval of home site by the probation officer. Due to COVID-19, some re-entry clients assigned
to a work release facility, were restricted in movement and needed approval to do work search or
seek housing options.
We had a total of 12 clients who either reached out to our organization or was referred to us by
their probation officer and had been out of incarceration for under 4 months. Although some
reentry clients reached out to us in preparation of release or by the probation officer, their release
time would fall after the expiration of fund availability.
For the month of June, the Tacoma Urban League supported three individuals with rental
assistance funds. Two of the three was able to find housing with Na Na’s World Clean and
Sober Living, located in Tacoma, Washington- and . Our
organization was able to provide the deposit and first month’s rent for both of them. We also
provided a care package such as toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, razors, shaving gel, socks,
towels/rags, body soap, and hand lotion.
We also connected them to employment resources as well and an offer of Lyft transportation if
they needed to get to medical appointments, check-in with their probation officer, grocery, or
employment interviews. The third individual- was released and approved to reside
with his grandmother in Pierce County however, he had to find permanent housing elsewhere.
He reached out to our organization to seek rental funds for an apartment that he was able to find
in Kent, Washington that would rent to him. His rental fees were twice the amount that we
allotted for reentry clients seeking funds. I was able to connect him with Catholic Community
Services to see if they could provide the rest of the funding and the Tacoma Urban League cover
the remaining balance of our allowable funds. Catholic Community Services was able to cover a
portion and the Tacoma Urban League allocated funds for the remainder of the balance.
Appendix C: Reentry Council Strategic Planning Session Areas of
Interest Document
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 31
PROGRAM STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUMMARY
Statewide
Reentry Council
"Successful reentry
occurs when internal
Strategic priorities 2020-2023 healing and change is
The council recognizes that the cycle of recidivism warrants a met with external
closer examination of our criminal legal system, correctional
systems, and community services in Washington. To do this opportunity"
Council members at 2019 Council Hill Day
and improve outcomes for impacted people, the council will
develop collaborative and cooperative relationships between the
criminal legal system, victims and their families, impacted -Christopher Poulos
individuals and their families, and service providers, to improve "Successful reentry occurs when
Executive Director
public safety and outcomes for people reentering the internal healing and change is met
community from incarceration. with external opportunity"
Our mission is changing Washington’s laws, investments, and Christopher Poulos
attitudes to end mass incarceration, improve well-being and Executive Director
welcome people home.
Contact & Website including Council
We strive to apply a race and gender equity lens to every policy legislative reports and reentry
we consider. resources.
Christopher.Poulos@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360.725.2852
www.commerce.wa.gov/reentry/
Our strategic priorities include: www.commerce.wa.gov/reentry/
Christopher.Poulos@commerce.wa.gov
Washington Statewide Reentry Council
Equity Phone:
PO Box 360.725.2852
Olympia,
42525
WAStatewide
98504-2525
Consider race and gender equity training for Statewide Washington Reentry Council
PO Box 42525
Reentry Council members.
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Utilize a race and gender equity toolkit.
Identify and implement best practices on race and gender
equity policy development.
Identify disproportionate criminal justice outcomes and take
intentional action to improve.
Institutionalize culturally responsive and humane treatment.
WASHINGTON STATEWIDE REENTRY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2020 - 2023 We strengthen communities 2
Housing
Address housing discrimination against people with criminal records.
Expand the Department of Corrections (DOC) housing voucher program.
Consider landlord incentives.
Enforce housing discrimination laws and policies.
Consider utilizing public lands for affordable house for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Community
Expand community and family involvement in the reentry process.
Expand access to credible messengers/mentors.
Implement community operated work release.
Expand and fund community organization involvement in prison and reentry.
Reform DOC volunteer policy.
Education
Increase access to secure, high-speed internet.
House education students together.
Reform laws and policies related to access to education.
Provide tribal college education information.
Increase access to post-secondary education while incarcerated.
Employment
Prepare individuals for meaningful employment in living wage jobs while incarcerated
Identify and engage employment sectors in need of skilled labor.
Pay living wages to incarcerated employees.
Communication
Engage public relations firm to build public awareness on the importance and benefit to community of
successful reentry.
Engage traditional and social media to reduce the stigma and discrimination.
Consider consulting with professional lobbyist.
Develop organized legislative campaign strategy.
Develop/update/utilize a comprehensive reentry resource directory.
WASHINGTON STATEWIDE REENTRY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2020 - 2023 2
Appendix D: Council Race Equity Statement and Action Plan
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 34
State of Washington
STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL
1011 Plum Street SE - PO Box 42525 - Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 - (360) 725-4000
A CALL TO COMMITMENT AND ACTION
The Washington Statewide Reentry Council acknowledges that our country's legal system has
contributed to racism and racial disparities against Black, Indigenous and people of color
(BIPOC) communities. BIPOC communities are overrepresented in our jails and prisons. The
necessity of the council's work proves that the system is not working for a large part of our
population. The fact that the COVID-19 relief enacted by Congress expressly excludes people
with felony convictions is further proof. We wonder then why the raging diseases of racism and
COVID-19 disparately impact BIPOC. To acknowledge these disparities, the council centered
race equity in our reentry policy analyses, programs, and execution. Racism, discrimination and
intolerance of any kind are unacceptable. This moment calls for sober reflections by all agencies
and organizations that work in public and private corrections and reentry services. We need to
examine why COVID-19 and violent racism disparately impact BIPOC in our prison and jail
systems. The toxic racial disparities that exist across all of our systems, including the legal
system, inevitably extend to many reentry policies in our federal and state policy decisions. As
the Washington State Supreme Court recently acknowledged, "[o]ur institutions remain affected
by the vestiges of slavery: Jim Crow laws that were never dismantled and racist court decisions
that were never disavowed.”1
Since the council's establishment, we have always sounded this alarm of racism and racial
disparities in our recommendations to the Washington State Legislature, Judicial and Executive
branches. This is a task we have committed ourselves to in every way through policy, programs,
training and outreach. Our commitment to eradicating racism and its vestiges extends to every
aspect of reentry, including but not limited to housing, employment, education, and community-
based culturally responsive services. We must dismantle structures that advantage white people
at the cost of dehumanizing BIPOC and resist habits and practices that uphold white privilege.
We must squarely address barriers that continue to prevent communities of color from
accessing meaningful reentry relief. We urge practitioners in our legal systems to examine their
ways and desist from policies and actions that amplify harm for communities of color.
1
Letter from the Washington State Supreme Court: “As judges, we must recognize the role we have played in
devaluing black lives,”
http://www.courts.wa.gov/content/publicupload/eclips/2020%2006%2005%20Letter%20from%20state%20Supre
me%20Court%20As%20judges,%20we%20must%20recognize%20the%20role%20we%20have%20played%20in%20
devaluing%20black%20lives.pdf
21
We join others who have raised their voices across our country and worldwide to take active
steps to confront racism. To ensure we do more than say words, we, as members of the council:
1. Commit to convene a symposium before the beginning of the upcoming legislative
session and every year after that, to make recommendations to the Legislature on steps
they can take to combat racism in reentry policies, programs and activities. This
symposium would elevate the voice of the council members, racial justice movement
leaders and representatives of communities who are most harmed by racism within our
intersecting legal systems.
2. Ask members of the public and communities of color, in particular, to hold us
accountable in our policy and actions that distract from the primary goal of eradication of
racism in reentry policy in our state.
3. Commit to continue our support for culturally appropriate civil legal aid that will help
advance the cause of justice and eradicate racism in our state reentry programs and
policy.
Racism must have no place in reentry policy, programs and activities in our state. We commit to
working with all branches of government to eradicate structural racism in government, the
criminal legal system, and in reentry policies. We hope people reentering after incarceration and
communities across Washington will join the council in providing other ways we can eradicate
racism.
This statement and plan has been adopted through consensus by all members of the
Washington Statewide Reentry Council.
22
Appendix E: Department of Corrections Training
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 37
Department of Corrections
Reentry Division
Programs Status Updates
October 2020
I. Education/Vocational Training
Construction Trades Apprenticeship Preparation Program (CTAP)
In October 2019, the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council (WSATC), governed by
the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (LNI), approved the Construction Trades
Apprenticeship Preparation (CTAP) program as a registered pre-apprenticeship program.
WSATC recognizes CTAP as an education based preparatory program that supports linking
participants to registered apprenticeship opportunities. Current MOUs are with the Laborers,
Cement Masons and Carpenters Unions for preferred applications.
Stafford Creek Corrections Center – Grays Harbor College
Olympic Corrections Center - Peninsula College **(considering move to CBCC)
Washington State Reformatory - Edmonds Community College
Monroe Minimum Security Unit – Edmonds Community College
Washington State Penitentiary - Walla Walla Community College
Cedar Creek Corrections Center - Centralia College
Washington Corrections Center - Centralia College
CTAP curriculum consists of classroom and hands-on training in the areas of Construction Basics,
Introduction to Electrical, Introduction to Plumbing, Construction Trades Tool Training,
Construction Trades Industry Awareness, Work Readiness, Health and Safety for the Trades,
Blueprint Reading & Drawing, Math for the Trades and culminates in a Capstone work project.
Recently the curriculum was adjusted and students who complete CTAP earn 20 college
credits over a 10-11 week period.
Apprenticeship Working Group (AWG) Updates
The Apprenticeship Working Group (AWG) continues to meet monthly. AWG recently began
working with WA Juvenile Division. A program similar to CTAP/TRAC is being planned to deliver
at Green Hill with more being looked at potentially at Echo Glenn.
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) has developed a great outline for a pilot
Industrial Manufacturing Technician program that could be modified and run at WCCW or
somewhere else. Once the facilities open back up to visitors, AWG will find out the feasibility of
bringing in some equipment to try a test run of some sort. Also being considered is a pre-
apprenticeship for Licensed Trades Apprenticeship Preparation (LTAP) that would focus on
electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.
Page 1 of 6
Department of Corrections
Reentry Division
Programs Status Updates
October 2020
Secure-Internet Pilot (SSB 5433)
In Fall 2019, the secure-internet pilot under SSB 5433 was completed and the Computer
Programming (Coding) classroom was set up with secure-internet at WCCW. Results from the
proof of concept were extremely positive and DOC Cybersecurity has reported that there were
no security breaches during the proof of concept. They also identified ways to streamline a
future rollout.
DOC Executive Staff and Legislators met with the WCCW Coding class and were able to hear
directly from students and faculty about the many advantages of having secure-internet in the
classroom. Students were able to collaborate on builds, see their code work, and experience
para programming (where the whole class simulates a real world experience of having a group
working together on the same project). Additionally, direct access to approved coding sites give
students access to relevant and up-to-date information on language for trouble shooting, self-
corrections, and editing. The students are excited to see how their work mimics what people do
in the coding industry, while getting hands-on experience working in similar environments.
FY21 Budget Proviso to Expand Secure-Internet
$1,156,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2021 is provided solely for
costs relating to a pilot program for expanding educational programming to include
postsecondary degrees and secure internet connections at up to three correctional institutions.
The institutions chosen must be participating in the federal Second Chance Pell program. A
report shall be submitted to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by
December 1, 2021.
Second Chance Pell sites are MCC, CCCC, WCC, CRCC, WSP. A work group will be forming to
look at expanding the internet to MCC, CRCC, WCC.
Work Release Internet
Secure-internet was piloted at Reynolds and Peninsula Work Releases. Currently, there is a
work group established to prioritize implementation of getting secure-internet at all other work
releases as well. During the pandemic, most work release sites gained access through local
internet providers in order for residents to be able to continue school since all colleges and
universities moved to online classes only and to allow residents the ability to do job searches
during the statewide stay-home order.
Education During Pandemic
Page 2 of 6
Department of Corrections
Reentry Division
Programs Status Updates
October 2020
In Spring Quarter all contracted and privately funded education programs moved to distance
learning classes. Most programs delivered coursework via weekly paper packets. The
contracted colleges were able to expand their use of student off-line laptops, doubling their use
of student laptops by the end of spring quarter. Currently there are approximately 700 student
laptops in use.
In Summer Quarter all contracted colleges went back to face-to-face instruction with reduced
sizes to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Privately funded classes continue to deliver
distance learning classes via packets and most of their classes were canceled. In order to
continue to serve more students, most programs are delivering a hybrid-model where students
attend class half-time and are given supplemental material in the form of student laptops, books
or packets.
There is a great need for advanced technology in educational services, including use for our
volunteer education providers (FEPPS, UBB, BPC-TEACH, Defy Ventures) and Second Chance Pell
sites. Expanding secure-internet will help to inform future use. In order to get more use out of
the off-line laptops in prison settings, there is a need for more contracted college IT support
services to maintain those.
II. Reentry Services
July 2019 – December 2020
With the passage of 2018 House Bill 2638 Graduated Reentry (GRE) came the development of
the newly defined Reentry Navigation Team to include a Corrections Specialist 3 (CS3) and
Reentry Navigators (formerly known as Transition Specialists) working cohesively together to
assist individuals reentering the community and to increase chances of successful transition.
Reentry Restructuring
Re-defining Reentry Navigators roles and responsibilities
Shift in leadership and expectations
Staff training and policy updates
Collaborative efforts between CS3 and Reentry Navigators
Drafting of standardized GRE Reentry Navigators process maps and forms
Cross divisional information sharing efforts between GRE/Reentry Navigators/Work
Training Release (WR)
Statewide Reentry Navigation Fidelity
Statewide Community Resource Sharing
Page 3 of 6
Department of Corrections
Reentry Division
Programs Status Updates
October 2020
Planning
Target Population/Phased Approach
GRE WR Population (introduction of WR Reentry Transition Meeting (RTM),
Transition Plan, 72 hour plans & stabilization Plans)
GRE Institution to Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM) (Institution RTM &
Stabilization Plan)
Statewide Navigator area of range and WR assignment established (see
attachment: “DOC Navigator Area of Range (AOR)”)
Monthly WR Meet & Greets within 30 days of arrival to WR
Cross divisional weekly check ins with CS3/Navigator leads
January 2020 – July 2020
Implementing Phase 1
Reentry Navigator Reclassification
Reentry Navigator and CS3 shared responsibilities and workloads
Implementation of 3 phased IRPs (Individual Release Plans) titled Institution,
Transition, and Stabilization
Development of shared caseload capacity tool & information sharing in
SharePoint
Finalization of Reentry System Implementation Model Prison/Work Release/Electronic
Home Monitoring (see attachment: “DOC Reentry Systems Implementation Model”)
Implementation of Transition and Stabilization IRPs for those transitioning from
WR to EHM and those transitioning from institution to EHM
Reentry Transition Meeting (RTM) for those in the institution and WR
Continued cross divisional information sharing efforts between GRE/Reentry
Navigators/WR and institution counselors
Draft GRE quick reference guide and process manual for Reentry Navigators (see
attachment: “Graduated Reentry – A quick reference guide and process manual
for Reentry Navigators” – DRAFT. *Please note that this a draft document only.)
5 Reentry Navigators, 2 Reentry Navigator leads and 1 pending Snohomish
Navigator
Pandemic emergency hygiene/food kits
Pandemic navigator DSHS pre-enrollment assistance
Reevaluate & Modify
Review feedback on 3 phase IRPs from staff & participant
Begin planning of phase 2 and implementation
Distribution of IRP 1
Page 4 of 6
Department of Corrections
Reentry Division
Programs Status Updates
October 2020
Finalize GRE quick reference guide and GRE draft forms
Update & SharePoint case management tool
Identify missing data entry points
Room and Board Waiver
Department of Corrections room and board charges at Work Training Releases (WTR) started
out at $12.50/day for an incarcerated individual’s rent. Within the last 10 years, room and board
increased to $13.50/day where it remains now. RCW requires an incarcerated individual to pay
rent as part of their work release obligation. When DOC had to absorb closures of work releases,
specifically Rap/Lincoln, where mentally ill and work challenged individuals were housed who
didn’t pay rent, these individuals participated in programming as part of their responsibility.
Facilities have also adjusted allow a resident at WTR to have an educational waiver for rent so
that they can attend school.
Department of Corrections has now progressed to the ability to suspend room and board in real
time for those incarcerated individuals who have other needs than just working. DOC is working
on a process for consideration that will be part of the incarcerated individual’s case plan moving
forward. This will enhance the preparation for incarcerated individual to have a real sense of
budgeting and preparedness for community living.
III. Veterans Services
Statewide Facility Veterans Point(s) of Contact Quarterly Meetings
In April 2020, the Department of Corrections hosted the first quarterly statewide Veterans
meeting via Skype. This meeting allows for facility Point of Contacts to network and hear what
other facilities are doing, as well as share department and veteran’s updates, resources
available to incarcerated veterans, and work that is going on in the community. Connecting
Point of Contacts at facilities has allowed veterans who transfer facilities to continue veteran
services that are being established.
Veteran Services Manager Position
The Washington State Department of Corrections and Washington State Department of Veteran
Affairs (WDVA) are continuing conversation around a shared Veteran Service Manager/Benefit
Specialist Position. This positon would assist in identifying incarcerated veterans arriving at
Washington Corrections Center (WCC) who are receiving benefits such as disability or pension. If
an incarcerated veteran is a recipient of such benefits, their incarceration must be reported to
the VA to avoid or reduce the chance of overpayment. As a shared position, this staff would
have access to pull DD-214 Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty through the
WDVA. This position would also be able to provide information regarding apportionment of a
beneficiary’s award and assisting with the appropriate forms that incarcerated individuals have
Page 5 of 6
Department of Corrections
Reentry Division
Programs Status Updates
October 2020
limited access to. With current state budget constraints, this position may temporarily be put on
hold.
Veteran Services SharePoint Site
A subsite titled “Veterans Services” has been added to the Reentry SharePoint Site which will
provide monthly reports to the facility Veterans Point of Contacts (POC) on local incarcerated
veteran population including all veterans identified through federal and state sources, as well as
through self-report. The site will also provide access to upload facility and quarterly veterans
meeting notes and up-to-date facility statewide veteran POC information. Veterans “Behind the
Wire” guides are available to staff and include forms for assisting with requests pertaining to
military records, waivers, apportionment of beneficiary awards, and statements in support of
claims.
Department of Veterans Affairs’ Public Assistance Reporting System (PARIS)
Department of Corrections and Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) continue to
meet to review the award status codes received quarterly though the Public Assistance
Reporting System (PARIS) to identify those codes that verify that an incarcerated individual is
receiving a disability or pension that will need to be reported to the VA to avoid overpayment.
Stafford Creek Corrections Center Launches First Prison-Based American Legion Post
The American Legion granted Stafford Creek Corrections Center a permanent charter in October
2019 to form a post inside the correctional facility. Veterans meetings are held once a month.
Incarcerated veterans practice American Legion rituals like posting of colors, reciting the Pledge
of Allegiance and setting up a POW/MIA table to honor fallen veterans. They discuss current
events and follow congressional bills related to veteran’s issues. The American Legion also has a
couple Veterans Service Officers (VSO) in the community who come to the facility monthly to
help veterans with their benefit claims.
IV. Identicard Program
Beginning in April 2019, the Identicard program was implemented in DOC’s correctional
facilities. Through a partnership between DOC, DSHS, and DOL, the Identicard program ensures
that incarcerated individuals can receive valid forms of identification prior to release into the
community. Having valid identification is especially important to securing employment, housing,
and banking. Providing the means necessary to increase incarcerated individuals’ chances of
stability after release can help streamline their reentry into the community and reduce
recidivism. Since the Identicard program was implemented, over 3,000 identification cards have
been issued.
Page 6 of 6
Appendix F: Department of Children, Youth and Families Juvenile
Rehabilitation Progress
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 47
The Department of Children, Youth & Families:
Juvenile Rehabilitation Progress
Reentry Matters
Over the last several years, Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) has focused a great deal of attention on how to
best plan and prepare young people for their return back to their home communities following
incarceration. In fiscal year 2020 (FY20), JR served 852 youth with an average length of stay of 11.1
months. Four hundred and thirty-three individuals returned home to their community. The average age
upon return was 17.5 years old. Historically, youth of color are overrepresented in the justice system
compared to Washington State’s general population.
Successful reentry is based on a strong, culturally responsive continuum of care and support, effective
treatment services and case management practices, comprehensive education, vocation and
employment programs, inclusion of family, community-based connections and venues for meaningful
youth voice (Executive Order 16-05: Building Safe and Strong Communities through Successful Reentry).
Focusing on youths’ successful reentry to their home communities while offering effective rehabilitation
programs and service is JR’s top priority. The goal is to support young people in building a positive future
using guiding principles that are grounded in research. These principles will help create healthy
outcomes and communities where young people thrive physically, emotionally, educationally and
vocationally. JR youth experience multiple barriers to a successful transition home. Many individuals
have complex needs, including the following:
36% unstable housing or homelessness situation
50% requiring special education assistance
85% needing support with their behavioral health
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
As indicated in the chart below, disproportionality is prevalent and increases at every decision point in
the juvenile justice system. Young people who enter JR have already experienced an increased level of
disparity. Youth of color make up a significant majority while white youth are the minority in comparison
to the general population (Office of Innovation, Alignment and Accountability, 2020). The need for
ongoing disaggregated data by race and ethnicity at all levels and decision points is critical to inform
equitable policy and practice and to avoid further disparate actions while increasing opportunities for
continuous quality improvement.
September 22, 2020
Juvenile Rehabilitation | Approved for distribution by Rebecca Kelly, Interim Assistant Secretary
Legislative Reform
In 2019, the passing of E2SHB 1646 accelerated shifts already underway in JR population and services.
Individuals convicted in adult court of a crime committed while under age 18 will now be placed in the
initial custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) instead of first going to the
Department of Corrections (DOC). The bill states that individuals convicted in adult court of a crime
committed while under the age of 18 may remain in the custody of DCYF until the individual reaches the
age of 25. This legislation was successful with strong support from the voice and leadership of young
people.
The following deliverables were identified to address the
population increase:
Capacity plan, including placement rule changes
Operational infrastructure supports
Safe and therapeutic environment
Rehabilitative menu of program and services
Education and employment pathways
A panel of JR staff, DOC staff and community partners
conducted a multidisciplinary team review of all eligible individuals in the custody of the DOC on the
effective date of the bill. These individuals were convicted in an adult court for a crime that was
committed while under the age of 18, who had not reached the maximum age of JR confinement. This
resulted in 31individuals transferring from DOC to JR. The transfers began in June 2020 and will be
completed in October 2020.
In 2018, Representative Noel Frame, in collaboration with Senator Patty Kuderer, Senator Jeannie
Darneille and Representative Roger Goodman, tasked community partners together with JR to assess
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2
and recommend essential programs and services for young people ages 18 – 25 years old to fulfill the
intent of the HB 1646/SB 6160, otherwise known as JR to 25. A workshop was designed to explore
effective strategies, programs and services to support young people with developmentally appropriate
rehabilitation. The workshop membership was comprised of agency partners, community-based
organizations, current and former JR young adults, individuals with lived experience and family
members. Participants outlined a comprehensive report: Workshop Recommendations Programs and
Services Designed for Juvenile Rehabilitation Young Adults Ages 18-25 Years Old.
Current programs and service in progress include:
Secure internet access and laptops Postsecondary education
Work-based learning 0pportunities Community facilities transition reviews
Construction and manufacturing pre- Transformational mentorship
apprenticeships
JR anticipates future needs as the population of young adults up to age 25 continues to grow and
expand. To fulfill the intent of the legislation and provide all young people with effective and
developmentally appropriate rehabilitation, JR will continue to focus on improvements to programs and
services. These improvements include:
An enhanced focus on the JR to 25 workshop recommendations
Response to the Integrated Treatment Model (ITM) Assessment recommendations
Community facility capacity
Electronic home monitoring in lieu of incarceration
A trauma-informed approach
Parenting classes
Independent living skills
Addressing staffing ratios and caseloads
Further expansion of virtual learning
Homeless Prevention Strategies
Passed in 2018, SSB 6560 ensures that no youth discharge from a public system of care into
homelessness. DCYF and the Office of Homeless Youth were required to jointly develop a plan, with
specific state agency actions and any legislative recommendations, to ensure that by December 31,
2020, no unaccompanied youth is discharged from a publicly-funded system of care into homelessness.
As part of this work, the Office of Homeless Youth issued the Improving Stability for Youth Exiting
Systems of Care report. Recommendations include the need for adequate transition planning,
independent living skills, the critical role of community partnerships and a diversity of housing and
services.
As a result of this legislation, JR received funding from the Legislature to provide homeless prevention
support to youth exiting JR’s Homeless Prevention Program, including:
Dedicated staff
Development of an internal referral and tracking system
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3
Statewide training for staff
Community partnerships for collaboration and housing resource support
Housing vendors – relationships, education about JR population and streamlined payment
process
This legislation also supports the issuance of state identification for all youth prior to exiting a JR facility.
To date, JR has been able to ensure that 100% of eligible youth exit with a Washington State
identification card.
JR Youth and Young Adult Reentry Planning
Prior to 2016, JR had a process that planned for transition 60 days prior to an individual’s earned release
date. The planning was JR staff driven and was completed approximately 50% of the time. In
consultation with national experts (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the
Council of State Governments), JR learned that meaningful and successful reentry required a youth- and
family-centered approach. From a review of national best practice; statewide staff, youth and family
surveys were developed along with a community taskforce and a Reentry Strategic plan.
Reentry Team Meetings (RTMs)
Reentry planning starts at entry to JR and includes family supports and community partners
In 2016, JR implemented a change to transition planning and as a part of that change, Reentry Team
Meetings (RTM) began. Facilitated RTMs target intake and release, resulting in the creation of a youth-
driven reentry plan that outlines key activities in core life domains. Current RTMs begin with youth,
family and other supports as the core team. Examples of supports include social workers, education
advocates and mentors. As reflected in the above chart, JR completed initial RTMs at 82%, release RTMs
at 97%, and reentry plans at 96% in FY20. The ongoing review of disaggregated data by race, ethnicity
and participant surveys helps to ensure equity in practice and continuous quality improvement.
Reentry is a work in progress as we continue to enhance and improve policy, practice and planning;
enhance community in-reach; and reinforce how young people “see and own” their next steps forward
and plans for the future.
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4
Appendix G: Reentry Council Letter to Governor Inslee
REPORT OF THE STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL 49
State of Washington
STATEWIDE REENTRY COUNCIL
1011 Plum Street SE - PO Box 42525 - Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 - (360) 725-4000
April 7, 2020
Honorable Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
cc: Secretary Stephen Sinclair, Washington Department of Corrections
Dear Governor Inslee:
Thank you for your leadership during this challenging time. We are writing on behalf of the
Statewide Reentry Council (Council) to reaffirm our shared knowledge that the state must help
people meet their basic needs upon release from our jails and prisons. This support includes but is
not limited to attaining stable housing, healthcare, and some form of sustainable income. This
support is particularly vital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether or not the state releases additional people from the Department of Correction’s custody
and county jails as a direct result of COVID-19 concerns, increased community-focused release
planning and funding is vital during this time. We have the opportunity to save lives by working
together to prepare for currently planned releases and the potential prospect for increased releases
soon. Some groups that people are discussing and requesting the release of include members of
vulnerable populations such as elderly incarcerated individuals and people with underlying health
conditions. It is particularly vital that the state release these individuals to stable environments.
The Council offers to work with your office, state agencies, the legislature, local and county officials,
and community and incarcerated stakeholders and their families to support this planning process
and determine what additional resources are needed. We offer to report back to you and the state
legislature with our recommendations, including what concrete steps the state can take to minimize
the harm to reentering people, their families, and our communities during this crisis.
Thank you again for your leadership and consideration. We are at your service.
Sincerely,
Christopher Poulos Hon. Dan Satterberg Tarra Simmons
Executive Director Co-Chair Co-Chair
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