RCW 43.06C.005 Intent. The legislature intends to create an independent and impartial office of the corrections ombuds to assist in strengthening procedures and practices that lessen the possibility of actions occurring within the department of corrections that may adversely impact the health, safety, welfare, and rehabilitation of offenders, and that will effectively reduce the exposure […]
RCW 43.06C.010 Definitions. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) “Abuse” means any act or failure to act by a department employee, subcontractor, or volunteer which was performed, or which was failed to be performed, knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally, and which caused, or may have caused, […]
RCW 43.06C.020 Office created—Purpose. Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, there is hereby created an office of corrections ombuds within the office of the governor for the purpose of providing information to inmates and their families; promoting public awareness and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of inmates; identifying system […]
RCW 43.06C.030 Appointment of ombuds—Term—Other employees. (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the governor shall appoint an ombuds who must be a person of recognized judgment, independence, objectivity, and integrity, and be qualified by training or experience in corrections law and policy. Prior to the appointment, the governor shall […]
RCW 43.06C.040 Duties—Investigations—Complaints. (1) The ombuds shall: (a) Establish priorities for use of the limited resources available to the ombuds; (b) Maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number, a collect telephone number, a website, and a mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries; (c) Provide information, as appropriate, to inmates, family members, representatives of […]
RCW 43.06C.050 Access to facilities, inmates, records. (1) The ombuds must have reasonable access to correctional facilities at all times necessary to conduct a full investigation of an incident of abuse or neglect. This authority includes the opportunity to interview any inmate, department employee, or other person, including the person thought to be the victim […]
RCW 43.06C.060 Confidentiality of correspondence, communications, investigations. (1) Correspondence and communication with the office is confidential and must be protected as privileged correspondence in the same manner as legal correspondence or communication. (2) The office shall establish confidentiality rules and procedures for all information maintained by the office. (3) The ombuds shall treat all matters […]
RCW 43.06C.070 Civil immunity—Retaliatory actions. (1) A civil action may not be brought against any employee of the office for good faith performance of responsibilities under this chapter. (2) No discriminatory, disciplinary, or retaliatory action may be taken against a department employee, subcontractor, or volunteer, an inmate, or a family member or representative of an […]
RCW 43.06C.080 Unexpected fatality review team—Duties. (1) The ombuds or the ombuds’ designee shall serve as a member of the unexpected fatality review team convened under chapter 72.09 RCW. (2) The department shall: (a) Permit the ombuds or the ombuds’ designee physical access to state institutions serving incarcerated individuals and state-licensed facilities or residences for […]
