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About Washington State Department of Corrections

The Washington State Agency of Corrections (WADOC) is a state government department in charge of managing the state’s adult correctional and rehabilitation functions. This includes state penal establishments as well as community supervision programs. The department has its headquarters in Tumwater.  

In addition, the department now maintains 12 adult prisons, ten of which are male and two female. Over 16,000 individuals are held in various institutions by the department, which varies in size and purpose. 

The Washington State DOC ensures public safety by positively influencing lives through a comprehensive system for convicted law violators. This department is committed to working together for a safer community, and it operates a safe and humane justice system. It also collaborates with other agencies and the community to change lives within the State of Washington. 

WADOC appreciates and values individuals by providing an inclusive and diverse set of environments, advocating for all parties' safety. Such an environment creates a sense of physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. As a result, it encourages understanding between the parties involved. Additionally, the department instills hope. Hence, in return, positive change is embraced. The department also provides an opportunity for the offender to become a successful member of the public. 

Structure of the organization 

Five key divisions make up the Washington Department of Corrections' organizational structure: 

Washington's Criminal Justice System 

The department is in charge of the state's correctional facilities and programs. Currently, it oversees 12 prisons of various levels of security, including minimal, medium, and maximum. In addition, there are two women's correctional facilities among them.  

On WADOC's website, you can find a comprehensive list of Washington state prisons. The page also indicates the  

Aside from state-administered prisons, local law enforcement agencies maintain a variety of municipal, county, and regional jails in Washington. In Washington, municipal jails are run by police departments, whereas sheriff's offices run county jails. Regional jails serve multiple counties or groupings of counties and cities. 

WADOC History 

This department has seen multiple transitions since its formation in 1981. The 1981 Corrections Reform Act moved the operations of adult correctional institutions from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Adult Corrections to WADOC.  

Before the 1970s, state correctional, the Washington Department of Institutions, managed jails and prisons. The enjoinment of the Washington Department of Institutions, Department of Public help and Vocational Rehabilitation, and several others marked the beginning of the modern Washington state DOC. 

The state ultimately chose to establish a Department of Corrections because the leaders believed the then institution was way past time. The move to establish this department was initiated by Daniel J. Evans since the existing entity was not effective by then.  

Community Re-entry Division 

The key aim for the Department of Corrections in Washington in supporting successful reentry of offenders back into the community is to minimize the likelihood of returning to institutions because of new offender-related crimes after release.  

Annually, correctional facilities in Washington release over 7,000 incarcerated individuals from adult correctional facilities. In addition, it also releases over 550 people from juvenile rehabilitation centers.  

Nonetheless, to facilitate a successful reentry, the state's focus is to provide support in five areas:  

Hence, by reducing recidivism, supporting a successful reintegration program ensures safer communities and more engaged individuals. 

The Executive Order 16-05 

The DOC focuses on equipping offenders with the mechanisms for successful reintegration earlier, before their commitment date. Juvenile Rehabilitation works with young offenders to prepare them for reentry into the community and a fruitful transition to responsible adults.  

Though most of the inmates will return to their communities, successful reentry at a time is difficult. Governor Inslee, on April 26, 2016, to enhance public safety, signed Executive Order 16-05. Executive Order 16-05, Building Safe and Strong Communities through Successful Reentry, delegate particular institutions to take actions to prepare to face known barriers that could prevent successful re-establishment. 

Within 90 calendar days of their release, the department offers outreach and application help to Washington State jailed persons with no or insufficient medical coverage. The department also assists these persons in applying for Medicaid program services, explaining benefits and directing them to the right covered services. The goal is to give jailed people continuity of care when they reenter society. 

WADOC Victims Services 

Victims and survivors of crime are heard, appreciated, and involved in a collaborative effort to hold jailed and previously incarcerated person(s) responsible, prevent future damage and increase community safety, according to the Department of Corrections' Victim Services Program. 

Hence, to improve victim and community safety, the Victim Services Program (VSP) fosters collaborative relationships with  

VSP campaigns for policies that empower victims and hold convicted and previously incarcerated people responsible for their actions. 

WADOC Correctional Industries 

The WADOC provides offenders under its custody with programs that reduce the chances of recidivism. DOC understands that without correctional objectives to resolve offenders' shortfalls, the offenders may find themselves back in crime. Stable employment is crucial to successful reintegration into the community. The department well established that the connection between unemployment and crime leads to higher chances of recidivism. Incarcerated individuals reentering society are less likely to re-offend if they can overcome the employment barrier. 

Correctional Industries operate within all prison facilities throughout Washington and employ close to 2200 inmates. They focus the training and workforce of the inmates on developing both technical and social skills. 

Inmate work training and development plays a crucial role in daily prison facility administration. Those inmates under the custody of correctional industries are by far less likely to commit violent acts during incarceration. 

Additionally, WADOC Correctional Industries (CI) plays a critical role in inmates' transition. With the seed money saved, job skills, and experience gained from correctional industries, offenders are likely to find a job easily; thus, allowing them to work towards a better self-reliable life for themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods. In addition, the sale of CI products generates extra funds, hence lowering the costs of operating the state's criminal justice system. Accordingly, in return, the inmates undertaking the program gain: 

Money saved helps participants support their families, pay court-ordered financial commitment, pay their incarceration cost and victim compensation. 

Inmate Records in Washington 

Inmate records in Washington contain public and private information about people in prisons, jails, and work release institutions. Personal data and administrative details about offenders are included in publicly accessible records. Available information consists of the inmates'  

Nonetheless, individuals may Visit the WADOC offices for additional information about current and previous prisoners and supervisees. 

Tumwater, WA 98501-6504 7345 Linderson Way SW 

Monday through Friday, the office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The department also accepts Inquiries via mail; hence, you may send mail to: 

In addition, you may also email [email protected] or phone the office at (360) 725-8213. 

Washington Inmate Search 

This department aims to enhance public safety by publishing information about currently incarcerated individuals (Inmate Search) or individuals wanted by the WADOC (Warrant Search) on its Inmate Search site. Nonetheless, WADOC updates information about offenders regularly. 

In addition, it ensures that the information available to the public is complete and up to date. However, the information available is subject to quick changes. Hence, to keep track, users must keep on visiting the website.  

Nonetheless, the information available in the inmate search site includes the inmates': 

WADOC Offender Locator 

To conduct a state inmate lookup, the offender Locator requires entering a DOC Number or name to search for a specific inmate. Suppose a site visitor does not know an inmate's DOC number. In that case, they may use the Offender Locator tool to get the information by combining the inmate's first name, last name, and facility housing the offender. 

However, it is essential to note that the information available on the Prisoner lookup platform is exclusively for the inmates in the Washington State Prisons. Hence, if you are looking for an inmate who is not in these facilities, they may not find their information. Instead, they should utilize the police enforcement website to locate these offenders serving time in county jail. 

County Jail Offender Locator 

In addition, the majority of municipal prisons in Washington include prisoner locators on their websites. Some prison registers or inmate lists are updated regularly. These listings include the names of current convicts and personal information such as age, sex, and inmate numbers. 

Visit the county/municipality website to discover a prisoner search tool or inmate list for a city, county, or regional jail in Washington. 

Types of Correctional Facilities in Washington

Washington Prisons and Jails

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