Crime victims could gain voice in offenders’ work release placements

February 25, 2009

OLYMPIA – The state Department of Corrections will be required to consider the input of crime victims in the process of determining an offender’s work release placement, if a bill passed this week by the House is also approved by the Senate and Governor. As the law currently exists, DOC must inform the victim of an offender’s crime about the work release placement, but there is no provision for the victim to provide input. Rep. Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island), the sponsor of House Bill 1076, argues the legislation will ensure crime victims are treated fairly and with due consideration.
 
“Crime victims have endured painful, often horrific, experiences, and there needs to be a way for them to provide feedback about the offender’s work release placement. This legislation provides for a feedback process so that crime victims can feel more comfortable that their voice is being heard and considered in the placement process,” Rolfes said.
 
In Washington state, DOC is able to convert up to six months of an offender’s sentence to work release—a partial confinement situation in which offenders can enter the community for purposes of employment. If a crime victim has requested notification and the crime was either a sex offense, violent offense or felony harassment, DOC is currently required to notify the victim (or next of kin in a homicide case) about the offender’s work release at least 30 days prior to placement.
 
Under Rolfes’ legislation, DOC would notify the victim on how to provide input about the offender’s work release placement, and DOC would be required to consider it. DOC could change its decision about the work release based on the victim’s input.
 
Rolfes introduced the legislation in the 2008 legislative session, but it stalled in the Senate, so she reintroduced it this year. More information about HB 1076 is available here.