Washington DOC Looking to Transfer Inmates Out of State

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Officials with the state Department of Corrections plan to transfer a minimum of 200 inmates to out-of-state facilities to create room for more inmates at Washington prisons.

The department is struggling with overcrowding and the search for inmate beds has intensified since Gov. Christine Gregoire’s order in February to halt all early releases.

The governor’s directive followed the release of 59 offenders from two King County jails earlier this year because of overcrowding. The inmates were released conditionally or allowed to leave the facilities after agreeing to meet with community corrections officers.

Department officials are uncertain whether all 59 inmates have complied with the terms of their probation. In March, only 24 had reported to community corrections officers, according to reports. Of those released, 21 were convicted of assault, 15 were convicted of drug crimes, nine were convicted of burglary, three were convicted of rape, and one was convicted of kidnapping.

The department has transferred more than 950 prisoners out of state since 2004 to alleviate overcrowding, according to reports. Officials typically transfer healthy inmates with a record of good behavior and at least three years left on their sentences.

The DOC is also adding beds to two existing prisons in eastern Washington. However, recent forecasts for state prison admissions predict Washington will need more beds than what are planned for at least the next two years.