Community Corrections

Our Goals

The Community Corrections Division (formerly known as probation and parole) of the Department of Corrections supervises an active caseload of approximately 27,000 offenders in communities and work release facilities across Washington State. The Division’s 1,430 employees promote reintegration and public safety by:

Providing guidance, support and program opportunities for all offenders returning to the community.
Holding offenders accountable to their imposed conditions, as they resume life within the community.
Collaborating and supporting community resources and parties with a vested interest in successful offender transition into the community.

Supervising Offenders in the Community

The Community Corrections Division supervises offenders who have either been confined in a county jail or prison (for felony convictions of more than a year), or were sentenced to direct supervision in the community. Most offenders have conditions of supervision. These conditions are guided by public-safety considerations and engage each offender in programs to reduce their likelihood of re-offense. Offenders report to Community Corrections Officers and, depending upon the offender’s history or crime, may be prohibited from having contact with minors or victims. They may also be required to submit to urinalysis testing and to participate in substance abuse treatment programs, offender change programs, and family reunification programs as appropriate. A range of sanctions may be imposed for non-compliance, up to and including jail time.

Offender Programs

The 2007 legislative session provided more than $25 million requested by the Governor for the 2007-09 biennium to expand offender programs under the DOC Re-entry Initiative. By taking advantage of community-based resources, the Initiative enables DOC to expand the number of Community Justice Centers and enhance core programming offered to offenders. Core programming includes employment assistance, continued education, chemical dependency treatment classes, counseling and other services proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offense. The goal is to reduce recidivism by strengthening individual support networks through a continuum of programming offered from prison into the community.

Work Release

The Community Corrections Division cooperatively manages 15 work release facilities. Work release is a form of partial confinement in which offenders are permitted to live in residential facilities. During this time the offenders are expected to secure employment and be assisted in establishing positive support networks with family, friends, and the community.

Recent Legislation Affecting Community Corrections

Legislation supporting the Re-entry Initiative calls for transformation of the correctional culture. Existing work release facilities will transition to “Residential Re-entry Centers” where offenders will work and receive services proven to be evidence- or research-based practices that provide a meaningful experience for offenders. DOC has initiated a statewide “Work Release Siting Committee” that will identify potential sites for expansion in accordance with the 2007 Legislation plan.

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