Making Washington's prisons safer and more humane.

https://medium.com/wagovernor/making-washingtons-prisons-safer-and-more-humane-80e890c0d7e2

Clarification: On September 30, 2021, the Department of Corrections issued a press release announcing the end of disciplinary segregation. Some news outlets have reported that DOC is ending the use of all ‘solitary confinement.’ This has led to confusion, and the department feels it is important to clarify that it is ending the use of segregation, also known as solitary confinement, for disciplinary reasons only. The department continues to utilize segregation for non-disciplinary purposes such as investigations, safety, protective custody, and classification.

Since the 1980s, correctional systems have heavily relied on restrictive housing — also known as disciplinary segregation, isolation or solitary confinement. It was originally intended as a way to manage people who commit violence while incarcerated by restricting movement and privileges.

But in recent years, a growing body of research (such as the 2018 Southern Poverty Law Center’s report on solitary confinement), found excessive use of restrictive housing can harm the physical and mental health of people held in such conditions. The detrimental effects of disciplinary segregation can persist even after release. They can also create more obstacles for incarcerated people as they prepare to re-enter the community, since time in restrictive housing limits access to programs, re-entry preparation and positive social interaction.

Correctional leaders in Washington are aware of this phenomenon and are taking steps to make state prisons safer and more humane. As of Sept. 16, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) stopped using disciplinary segregation agency-wide.

“This is indeed an historic moment in the department,” DOC Secretary Cheryl Strange said. “This is definitely a key step in becoming a human centered organization by advancing proven correctional practices and methods that support individuals in change. The science is clear on this and the science says stop doing it.”

The decision follows an agency approach to gather data to inform decisions whenever possible, and will consider new options to support positive and progressive outcomes.

“Disciplinary segregation has been proven to be ineffective in our state correctional facilities and ending their practice as a form of discipline is the right thing to do,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “I’d like to thank Secretary Strange and the entire DOC team for their dedication to improving human-centered operations for incarcerated individuals.”

The DOC collected data over a one-year period (Sept. 1, 2019 to Aug. 30, 2020) to see whether disciplinary segregation was effective in addressing negative behavior.

The results found:

Approximately 2,500 disciplinary segregation sanctions were given during the year.

57% of those sanctions given were for non-violent infractions (1,441 of 2,525).

The average length of time given in segregation was 11 days for non-violent infractions and 16 days for violent ones.

The number of actual segregation days individuals served after a disciplinary hearing was very small. Most individuals who were given segregation had already been in Administrative Segregation awaiting their hearing and were given credit for time served and returned to general population.

Prison officials have also expressed dedication for finding alternative methods to deal with violent incidents including examining and modifying the classification process and referring incarcerated individuals for a custody demotion if necessary.

“We know a lot more now than we did years ago when our practices were designed,” says Mike Obenland, prisons assistant secretary. “We must continue to examine our processes and make meaningful changes that are both safe and humane. The data shows that the use of disciplinary segregation has many shortcomings, including failing to improve negative behavior.”

The department has been working with stakeholders on finding alternatives to restrictive housing for the past several years, including an ongoing partnership with Vera Institute of Justice. The partnership, known as Safe Prisons, Safe Communities: From Isolation to Dignity and Wellness Behind Bars, aimed to reduce the department’s use of restrictive housing by finding safer and more effective alternatives. Safe Prisons, Safe Communities launched in May 2019.

Vera has worked with correctional departments across America to help make changes to reduce restrictive housing. The current partnership with Washington has several goals, including eliminating the use of restrictive housing for vulnerable individuals, especially those with serious mental illness, improving living conditions and significantly reducing the length of overall time people spend in such housing.

“DOC is committed to safe and humane practices, where we address violent behavior when necessary, but do not use segregation as a form of discipline,” said Sean Murphy, DOC’s deputy secretary.

IN OTHER STATE HEADLINES:

ICYMI: Inslee letter to President Biden urges action for Point Roberts and border communities.

The letter comes after 18 months of border closures and repeated appeals from the governor to the Biden administration to provide relief to impacted Washington communities and businesses. Inslee also requested clarity from the administration on circumstances and conditions required for entry into the United States at the U.S.-Canadian border. 

Taking hornet nest removal to new heights.

Last week, WSDA’s Pest Program removed the third Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) nest of 2021, making it the fourth nest removed since the invasive hornet was first detected in Washington in December 2019. All of the nests have been in the same general area east of Blaine.

AG Ferguson: Reed Hein to pay $2.61 million to resolve timeshare exit scheme lawsuit.

The company retracts and apologizes for statements in response to the Attorney General’s lawsuit

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that Kirkland-based timeshare exit company, Reed Hein & Associates LLC, must stop its deceptive timeshare exit practices and pay $2.61 million to Washington. If the company violates the terms of the consent decree, it will be required to pay an additional $19 million — a total judgment of $22 million. Reed Hein also retracted and apologized for statements made in response to the Attorney General’s lawsuit.

Coming soon: Working Washington grants for businesses impacted by U.S.-Canadian border closure.

OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce announced a new grant program that will launch Oct. 4 to help certain small businesses hurting due to the U.S.-Canada border closure. The border has been closed to most travelers since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1

All Washington businesses providing single-use plastic bags to customers at checkout must comply with the new law.

Initial unemployment insurance claims for week of September 19 - 25, 2021.

OLYMPIA – During the week of September 19 to September 25, there were 4,914 initial regular unemployment claims, up 1.3 percent from the prior week. Total claims filed by Washingtonians for all unemployment benefit categories numbered 97,068 down 14.6 percent from the prior week.  

FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC:

Kilmer, county commissioners secure grant for defense infrastructure project

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners recently secured a $10 million federal grant for the Bangor/Keyport Forcemain Replacement project — which will help fund replacement of the sanitary sewer service force main break that supports Naval Base Kitsap–Bangor.

Wild Olympics Plan Passes House Again

Late last week, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act sponsored by Senator Patty Murray and Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), passed once again through the House of Representatives. 

At Hearing With Facebook Safety Head, Cantwell Says Children Need Stronger Protection from Digital Abuse, Harm

Comments come as Cantwell launches full court press to empower feds to fight digital abuses; hold tech companies accountable.

Cantwell, Colleagues Urge Biden to Create Two Specialized Positions to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

Cantwell-led letter calls on administration to create position in the White House and a special envoy at the State Department.

Senator Murray Calls on VA to Strengthen Mental Health Services as National Suicide Prevention Month Comes to a Close.

Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, as National Suicide Prevention Month drew to a close, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough calling on him to continue strengthening VA’s  mental health services, including suicide prevention efforts, and improving access to these services. In the letter, Senator Murray noted that recent events, including the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, highlighted the need for continued support of veterans’ mental health.

Senator Murray Helps Pass Funding to Avoid Government Shutdown, Get Disaster Aid to Washington State Farmers, as Republicans Continue to Push U.S. Towards Default.

Senator Murray: “Today we were able to prevent a senseless government shutdown, help our Afghan allies and refugees resettle, and get relief to Washington state farmers and fishers who’ve been dealt one blow after another from the heat wave, to the drought, to a really tough wildfire season”

This weeks Edition

Page 2: Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East.

Page 3: Former Army Contractor Receives 151-Month Sentence for Fraud Scheme Targeting Thousands of U.S. Servicemembers and Veterans.

Page 4: WDFW lifts fire restrictions, including target shooting ban, on most Department-managed lands.

This week's video

Biden’s Border CRISIS: The Threat to America | Glenn TV | Ep 140.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEWoIxnBe2o