DOC Work Group to Host Public Meeting in Tacoma

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     May 19, 2008

OLYMPIA – A Department of Corrections (DOC) work group is hosting a public meeting in Tacoma tomorrow to discuss plans to convert work release facilities into re-entry centers that offer additional offender programs.  

The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon May 20 in room 304 at the Tacoma Community Justice Center, 1016 S 28th St., Tacoma.

Re-entry is DOC’s broad effort to improve public safety by reducing the recidivism rate among offenders. A state law passed last year directs DOC to look at laws and practices to convert its
15 work release centers into re-entry centers that will provide programs that have proven to be successful in helping offenders. Those programs include education, chemical dependency treatment and employment assistance.

Offenders at DOC’s existing work release facilities focus on finding employment while the majority of other treatment and programs are administered by providers in the community.

Anne Fiala, DOC Community Corrections Administrator, chairs the work group.  The members of the work group are:

  • John Lane from the Governor’s Office, representing Governor Christine Gregoire
  • Norman Hill, from the Department of Corrections, representing Washington Federation of State Employees
  • Ed Holm from the Thurston County Prosecutor’s office, representing the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
  • Ric Bishop from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, representing the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
  • Judge John Hickman from Pierce County Superior Court, representing the Superior Court Judges Association
  • Mark McClain from Kittitas County, representing the Washington State Association of Counties
  • Nancy McLaughlin from the Spokane City Council, representing the Association of Washington Cities
  • Marie Sullivan from the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
  • Larry Fehr from Pioneer Human Services, representing contractors from work release facilities
  • Debra Prichard from the Department of Corrections, representing Tri-Cities Work Release
  • Frank Boulet from Rebuilding Families, Inc., representing non-profit organizations
  • Jenny Wieland from Friends & Families of Violent Crime Victims, representing crime victim advocates

DOC currently has 15 work release facilities located in Yakima, Bellingham, Seattle, Spokane, Longview, Olympia, Tacoma, Kennewick, Port Orchard and Vancouver.

 

- 30 -

Divider image - horizontal green bar