Washington State Prisons

Prison Facilities

The Department operates 12 prison facilities including eight major prisons and four minimum-security prisons. The minimum-security prisons house offenders who will be released to the community within four years.

Offender Statistics as of June 30, 2012

Total Offenders in Prison: about 17,697

Gender:
Male 92.5%
Female 7.5%

Race:
White 71.5%
Black 18.9%
American Indian 4.3%
Asian 3.7%
Unknown/Other 1.6%
Hispanic Origin 11.8%

Average Age:
37.8 years

Average Length of Stay:
24.2 months

More statistics

After an Offender is Sentenced

Offenders who are sentenced to more than a year and a day in confinement are sent to prison. Male offenders are first sent to the reception and diagnostic center at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton. Female offenders are sent to the reception and diagnostic center at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. Offenders spend about four to six weeks at the reception center, where they receive medical examinations, testing and psychological evaluations.

Based on the assessments, the offender's custody level is assigned in a process called classification. An offender can be classified as maximum-, close-, medium- or minimum-custody. An offender's behavior is a significant factor in determining what level of custody they require. Offenders are placed in the least restrictive custody level that will provide for the safety of the public, staff and other offenders.

After their custody level assignment, offenders are transported to an appropriate prison that meets their security level and programming needs. Through good behavior and programming, offenders may be approved to transition to a lower custody level.

Offender Programs

The Legislature funds effective, evidence-based programs, as determined by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, that are available on a limited basis in the Department's prisons to include:

Read more about life as an offender

Family Support

The Department acknowledges the benefit to everyone when family relationships are maintained during incarceration and supervision. Whenever possible, the Department provides visiting opportunities and specific visiting programs for offenders and their families.