Washington

There are nearly 18,000 offenders incarcerated in state prisons in Washington, which has a bed capacity of 14,340. As a result, over 2,000 inmates are housed in out-of-state private prisons or equally crowded local jails. Additionally, over 42,000 ex-offenders live in Washington communities while on active supervision with the Department of Corrections. Recidivism rates have increased from 32% to 37% of over the last 10 years.

The Department of Corrections' strategic plan identifies increasing successful re-entry of offenders into communities as a primary goal. The plan includes assessment of risks and needs, the development of a personalized plan to address those factors throughout incarceration and community supervision, and the utilization of evidence-based programming to address deficits identified through assessment. To ensure the state is investing in cost effective and promising re-entry initiatives, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, in a report dated October, 2006, has identified evidence-based programs and practices shown to reduce crime and recidivism.

The area of primary focus for Washington during the Academy will be multi-agency collaboration for the assessment of the re-entry process within Washington State, the identification of service gaps and other barriers and the development of an action plan to improve offender re-entry. The resources and services already exist, but the state looks to develop a statewide system of re-entry through this collaboration. Washington State recognizes the need to include and engage communities and families in this collaboration, and to continually seek ways to build and empower internal and external partnerships and relationships.