Family and Friends Services
DOC knows that social connections maintained during incarceration provide a valuable re–entry resource and that families can be an important source of housing, emotional support, financial resource and overall stability. The information on this site is part of that effort designed to reach out to friends and family.
Announcements
May 9: Road work near Larch Corrections Center will impact access to the facility through the summer. Read more about the project.
April 12: Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) Local Family Council Meeting Schedule has been updated.
April 3: DOC policy 200.000 (Trust Accounts for Offenders) restricts the ability to place money in trust accounts for multiple offenders. Specifically, it reads: “Family, friends, and/or other individuals may not deposit to more than one offender’s trust account without the Superintendent’s prior approval.” Contraband funds end up being deposited in the Offender Welfare Betterment fund.
The reasoning behind this rule is quite straightforward – in the past, too many times, family members or friends have ended up paying offender “debts” (such as those due for exchange of contraband). Potentially, and consistently, such practice encourages the exchange of contraband.
There are instances where such a practice is supported, such as in the case of a parent who has more than one child incarcerated.
FAQs
Find the information you need on these subjects:
- How do I talk on the telephone with the offender?
- How do I send mail to the offender?
- How do I send packages to the offender?
- How do I send money or funds to the offender?
- How do I visit with the offender at the prison?
- How do I prepare for a visit with children?
Emergency Contact Needs
All family emergencies must go through the facility emergency messages process at your offender’s location. If you have a death in the family or other emergent need to contact your offender, then call the Corrections Counselor. After regular hours, contact the shift officer. Staff are trained to route your call according to the situation.
Suggestions
At the facility level
Many times a family member or friend who has contact with the Department may note an area of operation that needs improvement. Your comments are important and we recommend that you direct your concerns first to a staff member or supervisor working at the facility where the offender is housed.
Outside of the facility level
You may direct concerns and suggestions to the Department’s Correspondence Unit. Staff members in this unit are able to answer questions and/or direct you to an appropriate staff person who can provide assistance:
Department of Corrections
Correspondence Unit
PO Box 41118
Olympia, WA 98504-1118
Phone: (360) 725-8201
Fax: (360) 664-4056
Suggestions for this website
Email your suggestions to the DOC Webmaster.