Washington Administrative Code Title 137 - Corrections, Department of
Title 137 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is dedicated to the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC). This extensive title contains the comprehensive rules and regulations that govern the operation of Washington's state prisons, the supervision of offenders in the community, and various other aspects of the correctional system.
The DOC's mission is to improve public safety by positively changing lives. The WAC in Title 137 provides the framework for how the DOC carries out this mission, balancing public safety with the rights and responsibilities of incarcerated individuals and those under community supervision.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas and chapters you'll find within WAC Title 137:
137-04 - Introductory: General provisions, definitions, and the overall scope of the regulations.
137-08 - Public records—Disclosure: Rules for how the DOC handles requests for public records, ensuring compliance with Washington's Public Records Act.
137-24 - Special drug sentencing alternative revocation hearings: Procedures for revoking the special drug sentencing alternative for offenders who violate the terms of their release.
137-25 - Serious violations—Total and partial confinement facilities: Defines serious violations and outlines procedures for addressing them within prisons and partial confinement facilities.
137-28 - Discipline—Prisons: This is a crucial chapter detailing the disciplinary process for incarcerated individuals within state prisons. It covers prohibited conduct, disciplinary hearings, inmate rights during disciplinary proceedings, and possible sanctions (e.g., loss of privileges, solitary confinement).
137-30 - Earned release time: Regulations governing how incarcerated individuals can earn time off their sentences for good behavior, participation in programs, and other factors.
137-32 - Prisons—Administrative segregation and intensive management: Rules for placing incarcerated individuals in administrative segregation or intensive management units, including reasons for placement, review processes, and conditions of confinement.
137-36 - Adult correctional institutions—Inmate personal property: Regulations concerning what personal property incarcerated individuals are allowed to possess in correctional facilities, storage, and disposal of unauthorized items.
137-48 - Mail and communications for individuals in prison: Rules governing incarcerated individuals' access to mail, telephone calls, and other forms of communication, balancing security needs with the right to communicate.
137-52 - Resident of adult correctional institution escorted leave of absence: Rules for allowing incarcerated individuals to leave the institution under escort for specific purposes (e.g., medical appointments, funerals).
137-54 - Inmate marriages—Adult correctional facilities: Regulations outlining the process and conditions under which incarcerated individuals may marry while confined.
137-55 - Adult correctional institutions—Acquisition of personal hygiene items: Rules related to how incarcerated individuals can acquire personal hygiene items.
137-56 - Partial confinement: Regulations for programs that allow individuals to serve portions of their sentences in community-based facilities, such as work release.
137-57 - Selecting contractors for and siting of community residential programs (work/training release facilities): Rules for the process of selecting and establishing community residential programs.
137-60 - Adult correctional institutions—Release programs—Furlough: Details the rules for temporary release programs like furloughs, which allow incarcerated individuals to leave the institution for specific purposes, often as part of a reentry plan.
137-67 - Transfer of citizens of foreign countries: Rules regarding the transfer of foreign nationals who are incarcerated in Washington to their home countries.
137-68 - Adult probation and parole—Interstate compact: Rules for the supervision of offenders who are on probation or parole and have transferred supervision to or from another state, under the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision.
137-75 - Jail and medical cost reimbursement to cities and counties: Procedures by which the Department of Corrections reimburses cities and and counties for the costs of incarcerating certain individuals in local jails.
137-79 - Sexual misconduct by state employees, contractors: Regulations addressing and preventing sexual misconduct by DOC employees and contractors.
137-80 - Correctional industries and programs: Rules for correctional industries, which provide work and training opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
137-91 - Adult correctional institutions—Medical care—Health care: Regulations concerning the provision of medical and health care services to incarcerated individuals, ensuring constitutional standards are met.
137-96 - Prerelease programs: Rules for programs designed to prepare incarcerated individuals for release back into the community.
137-104 - Community custody violation hearings: Procedures for conducting hearings when individuals under community custody (post-release supervision) violate the terms of their supervision.
In essence, WAC Title 137 provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for the Washington Department of Corrections, covering everything from the daily lives of incarcerated individuals to their release and supervision in the community, ensuring accountability, safety, and rehabilitation efforts.
RELATED Blog
0 comments