Key Vote on the Corrections Ombuds Bill

Dear Friends, The House Public Safety Committee will be holding a vote o;n Thursday, 2/16 on HB 1889, which establishes a corrections ombuds agency that is independent of the Department of Corrections. This bill is a major priority for Quaker Voice, and would do much to improve our correctional system to be healthier, safer and more efficient. Under the bill, the ombuds would be an independently contracted nonprofit with the following privileges: ● Unrestricted, unaccompanied access to DOC facilities. ● The ability to confidentially interview prisoners and DOC staff. ● Unrestricted access to all DOC records. ● Provide information to prisoners and their families about the correctional system. As you can see, the ombuds will have the power and independence to bring greater accountability and transparency to the Department of Corrections. Your representative is a member of the House Public Safety Committee and will have a vote on the final passage of the bill through committee. Please contact them and voice your support for HB 1889, You can find their contact information here. You can find more information about the bill here. Disability Rights Washington has also released a video about the bill, which you can find here.