The States & Law Enforcement

Most states in the U.S. operate independent Law Enforcement agencies and

provide services and support to county and city jurisdictions within the state, for

example:

• Traffic patrol of state highway systems

• Investigation support

• Evidence processing & forensics

• Aviation services

• Tactical support

• Protection services for VIPs and Dignitaries, etc.

Washington State & Law Enforcement

Specifically, Washington State Patrol, the state’s Law Enforcement Agency,

provides these, and many more, services throughout Washington:

• Patrol of state highway system through the Field Operations Bureau

• Investigation support through the Investigative Services Bureau

• Evidence processing through the Crime & Toxicology Labs

• Training with the Technical Services Bureau

• Tactical services for other agencies through WSP SWAT

• Neutralization of explosives with the WSP Explosives Unit

• Traffic enforcement and congestion management from the Aviation

Unit

• Canine training facility to find drugs and explosive materials

• Executive Protection Unit provides protection for VIPs

(Washington State Patrol, http://www.wsp.wa.gov)

The States & the Courts

In the United States, non-federal felony trials are conducted by courts on the

county level, with the crimes being tried under laws written by the states.

After a felony conviction, the offender goes into the state-run corrections

system to serve their sentence.

However, they may appeal to their state’s court of appeals and try to have their

case overturned or remanded. Most often the appellate court will uphold the

lower court’s ruling. In that case, they may try to appeal to the State’s supreme

court, and, failing that, to the United States Supreme Court, though very few

cases ever succeed in being heard by the USSC.

The states also assist in the pre-sentencing investigation that help the courts

determine appropriate sentences for offenders.

Alternatives to Confinement

After a defendant is found guilty of a felony crime, in most cases, a

pre-sentence investigation will be performed, looking into their:

• Present offense and previous criminal activity

• Family situation, neighborhood, school and educational history

• Employment history

• Associates and habits

• Physical and mental health

Usually completed by a CCO or available social worker, the pre-sentence

investigation will assist in determining the term the defendant is imprisoned, put

on probation, given a suspended sentence, etc.

Probation in particular has grown as an alternative to imprisonment. Between

1995 and 2003, the number of adults on probation in the U.S. grew 32.4%,

averaging more than 100,000 additional offenders on probation per year.

(Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, July 2004)

Alternative Sentences in Washington

With Washington’s prisons beyond their rated capacity, alternatives to

confinement are critical to managing the overcrowding of prisons, while avoiding

the incarceration of non-violent, low-risk, or first time offenders.

The Washington DOC Community Corrections Division actively keeps track of

nearly 27,000 offenders who are on community supervision. These include

offenders on probation, work release, from out of state, or subject to an

alternative sentence under the Sentencing Reform Act, such as:

• DOSA: Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative

• FTOW: First Time Offender Waiver

• SSOSA: Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative

• MISDEAN: Misdemeanor sentences supervised by DOC

Intermediate Sanctions

Methods exist for diverting offenders from spending time in jails and prisons,

shorten sentences, and paying back victims and the community for damages,

such as:

• Restitution

• Day-fines

• Day Attendance Centers

• Electronic Monitoring

• Community Service

• House Arrest

• Split Sentences

• Boot Camps

Judges can impose several sanctions, and even modify existing sanctions in

order to find the most effective combination for an individual offender.

Confinement

State prisons are the backbone of the corrections system, accounting for the

confinement of over 1.1 million felony offenders throughout the United States.

Prison facilities vary depending on their initial purpose and period of

construction.

Once only used for labor and penitence, state prisons have responded to the

needs of individual offenders by offering programming for increased skill

competency, such as education, anger management, substance abuse

counseling, etc.

Striking a balance between punishment and developing skills, dependent on

each individual offender, helps reduce recidivism and gives the offender a

better chance at gainful employment and health social ties. This greatly

benefits the community as well as the offender.

Confinement in Washington

The Washington Correction Center in Shelton is the Reception Center for

offenders in Washington once they’ve been sentenced to prison, with the

exception of death penalty offenders who go straight to the Washington State

Penitentiary in Walla Walla, and female offenders who are sent to the

Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy. It normally takes 28 days

for the Initial Classification. Based upon a risk assessment, offenders are

classified into one of four different Security Levels:

• Security Level 4: Close

Heavy supervision, restricted movement, limited property and programming

• Security Level 3: Medium or Minimum 3

Less supervision, freedom of movement, programming opportunities

• Security Level 2: Minimum 2 or Minimum P

4 years or less until release, participation in community work programs

• Security Level 1: Minimum 1

Partial confinement, supervised outings, average stay of 4 months

(Washington Department of Corrections, http://www.doc.wa.gov)

Programming Opportunities in Washington

Washington State DOC offers numerous programs to help offenders deal with

issues such as substance abuse, lack of education, behavioral issues, etc.,

which helps in reducing recidivism and increasing the likelihood of successful

reintegration. Some of the programs are:

• Parenting, such as Partners in Parenting and Long Distance Dads

• CBT, such as Thinking For a Change and Relapse Education Program

• Stress and Anger Management

• Employment Preparation, such as Job Hunter

Opportunities to pay restitution, or structured meetings with their victims also

exist with the aim at healing not only the offender, but their victims and the

community. Community Victim Liaisons provide support for victims of crime,

such as safety planning and release notification.

(Washington Department of Corrections, http://www.doc.wa.gov)

Post Supervision

Due to earned and good time, most offenders are released prior to serving their

entire prison sentence behind bars. However, they are put under community

supervision for the remainder of their sentence and may end up back in prison

for revocation, violating the conditions of their release. Some of these

conditions may include:

• Regulary checking in with a Community Corrections Officer

• Not committing any further crimes

• Not consorting with other known felons

• May not travel outside a geographic area

• May not have access to the internet

• Must register with local law enforcement (sex offenses)

• Must maintain employment and stable housing

Special Population: Female Offenders

The female demographic is the quickest growing prison population. With

requirements and needs that are often different from the mostly male

populations, it is important to take note of the increasing challenges facing

corrections. Female offenders generally:

• Have fewer chances for employment post-release

• Have more often been sexually abused in their past

• Have higher instances of drug and alcohol abuse

• Have unique medical issues not present in male prison populations

• Require more social interaction and structure

• Have more instances of untreated mental health problems

• Pregnant women in prison have further special needs

Female Offenders in Washington

The Washington Corrections Center for Women is the state’s prison for female

offenders, except in the case of death row inmates, who serve at WA State

Penitentiary in Walla Walla. WCCW has a population of 875 female offenders,

and offers numerous programming and activities, including:

• Educational programs through Tacoma Community College

• Prison Pet Partnership Program

• Residential Parenting Program

• Braille Translation Program

• Reintegration Counseling

Just like at the state’s other prisons, offenders have the opportunity to do work

for Correctional Industries, in CAD services, embroidery, etc. This provides vital

savings and applicable job skills for a smoother reintegration after release.

Special Population: Sex Offenders

Offenders serving time for sex offenses need to be given the skills and training

to reduce recidivism. A combination of different counseling and training

methods can be geared toward each individual offender for greater

effectiveness. Some techniques are:

• Sex & Human Sexuality Education

• Stress and Anger Management

• Learning to Identify and avoid high-risk situations

• Relapse prevention and coping skills

Sex offenders are often targeted in prisons by other inmates, and sometimes

need special security or protection measures in place to keep them safe

through their sentence. At the most extreme level, it is sometimes necessary to

put an at-risk individual in segregation to ensure their physical safety.

Sex Offenders in Washington

Washington State follows many of the same treatment methods that are

common throughout the rest of the country. Upon release of a sex offender, an

End of Sentence Review is performed by the Department of Corrections. This

review determines an offender’s risk of re-offense. Some of the criteria they

take into account are:

• Original crime

• Prior criminal activity

• Participation in sex offense programming and treatment

• Social and economic ties, etc.

Periodically a sex offender is deemed to be at such an extreme risk for

re-offense that the case is brought before a Judge to determine if the offender

should be civilly committed after release. The Special Commitment Center,

operated by the Department of Social and Health Services on McNeil Island,

houses high-risk sex offenders who have completed their criminal sentences but

require further mental health treatment.

Political Process in Washington

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the body of state law developed by

the state legislature and signed into action by the Governor. This includes

sentencing guidelines, inclusion of alternative and intermediate sanctions, etc.

The legislature also manages the budget process.

The Secretary for the Department of Corrections is an appointee of the

Governor’s Office. The Secretary oversees the operation of the three branches

of the Department of Corrections.

Funding for Corrections in Washington

Corrections accounts for 2.7% of the Washington State budget, totaling about

$1.7 Billion of the biennial $64,000,000,000 in expenditures in the state.

The cost per offender varies with each facility, but generally speaking:

• Minimum and work facilities costing around $20,000 per offender/year

• Medium and women's facilities around $35,000 per offender/year

• Assisted Living/Intensive Medical Care up to $50,000 per offender/year

Employment Opportunity – Corrections Officer 1

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Valid Driver’s License

• Legal ability to carry a firearm

Responsibilities:

• Be a role model for offenders

• Assist offenders in becoming productive members of society

• Use psychological and oral skills to maintain safe environment

• Assist in controlling, directing and monitoring activities and movements

Salary:

• $3,114 - $3,523 monthly, or $37,368 - $42,276 per year

Promotion Opportunities:

• After 1 year training program, Corrections and Custody Officer 2

Employment Opportunity – Communications Officer

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Typing skill of at least 35 words per minute

• Prior dispatch, customer service or professional phone experience a

plus

Responsibilities:

• Receive, relay and dispatch emergency calls for service

• Provide assistance to the public and answer 911 calls

Salary:

• $2,460 - $3,107 monthly, or $29,520 - $37,284 per year

Promotion Opportunities:

Communications Officer 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Communications Division Assistant Administrator

Communications Division Administrator

Employment Opportunity – Community Corrections Officer 2

Requirements:

• One year CCO experience, or

• Bachelor’s degree and one year corrections or related experience, or

• Master’s degree in a social science

Responsibilities:

• Manage adult offenders placed in the community

• Work autonomously plan, organize and complete assignments

• May be required to travel often

• May be authorized to carry a firearm dring field contacts

Salary:

• $3,228 - $4,237 monthly, or $38,736 - $50,844 per year

Promotion Opportunities:

• Community Corrections Officer 3

• Community Corrections Supervisor