Support the Ombuds bill SB 5177
FCWPP Alert: Please contact your state senator to support the Ombuds bill SB 5177
Dear Friends,
SB 5177 would set up a Corrections Ombuds, to be appointed by and reporting to the Governor and to serve as a bridge between prisoners and the Department of Corrections.
Talking points:
- The purpose of the Ombuds’ office is to provide information about the Department of Corrections to offenders and their families, promote public awareness and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of offenders, identify system issues and compliance with relevant statutes, rules, and policies.
- The prisons and the Department of Corrections are isolated and hidden from most citizens. The Ombuds would have the opportunity to inspect prisons and make specific recommendations about conditions that may impact the health, safety, welfare, and rehabilitation of offenders.
- In addition to addressing and resolving issues at DOC proactively, an Ombuds office that can resolve disputes that would otherwise lead to expensive litigation can be a major cost saver in the long run.
SB 5177 passed unanimously in the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee and is now before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Please contact your state Senator to support the Ombuds bill SB 5177, especially members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, who are listed below. The ombuds bill is available at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5177&year=2013. (Note: ombuds is the gender-neutral form of ombudsman.)
Legislators’ email addresses are in the form: , so, for example, Andy Hill is . To find the names of your current legislators (several are new following the elections last November and you may be in a new legislative district due to redistricting), go to the leg.wa.gov website, select Find Your Legislator, and enter your street address.
There is also a new feature this year on the leg.wa.gov website for sending comments about aparticular bill to your legislators. On the leg.wa.gov site, choose Bill Information and then enter the bill number and Search. When the window for that bill appears, choose Comment on this Bill. You will need to register with a password the first time you use this feature.
Thanks for all you do!
Sincerely,
Steven Aldrich, Legislative Advocate and Policy Analyst
FCWPP Legislative Committee
Senate Ways and Means Committee:
|
Senator |
Room |
Phone |
|
Hill, Andy (R) Chair |
JAC 303 |
(360) 786-7672 |
|
Baumgartner, Michael (R) Vice Chair |
INB 202 |
(360) 786-7610 |
|
Honeyford, Jim (R) **** |
INB 107 |
(360) 786-7684 |
|
Hargrove, James (D) * |
LEG 411 |
(360) 786-7646 |
|
Nelson, Sharon (D) ** |
JAC 218 |
(360) 786-7667 |
|
Bailey, Barbara (R) |
INB 109B |
(360) 786-7618 |
|
Becker, Randi (R) |
INB 110 |
(360) 786-7602 |
|
Braun, John (R) |
INB 103 |
(360) 786-7638 |
|
Conway, Steve (D) |
JAC 212 |
(360) 786-7656 |
|
Dammeier, Bruce (R) |
INB 205 |
(360) 786-7648 |
|
Fraser, Karen (D) |
LEG 314 |
(360) 786-7642 |
|
Hasegawa, Bob (D) |
JAC 220 |
(360) 786-7616 |
|
Hatfield, Brian (D) |
JAC 237 |
(360) 786-7636 |
|
Hewitt, Mike (R) |
INB 204 |
(360) 786-7630 |
|
Keiser, Karen (D) |
JAC 224 |
(360) 786-7664 |
|
JAC 219 |
(360) 786-7670 |
|
|
Murray, Ed (D) |
LEG 316 |
(360) 786-7628 |
|
Padden, Mike (R) |
INB 105 |
(360) 786-7606 |
|
LEG 309 |
(360) 786-7622 |
|
|
Ranker, Kevin (D) |
JAC 215 |
(360) 786-7678 |
|
Rivers, Ann (R) |
LEG 405 |
(360) 786-7634 |
|
Schoesler, Mark (R) |
LEG 305 |
(360) 786-7620 |
|
Tom, Rodney (D) |
LEG 307 |
(360) 786-7694 |
*Ranking Member **Asst. Ranking Member ****Capital Budget Chair
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