Washington Inmate Search

The Washington State Department of Corrections (WADOC) operates over 20 prison and reentry center facilities across the state with a total confinement operational capacity of about 14,800; however, the average number of inmates in state prisons is around 13,000. County jails and federal prisons (located in Washington) are also estimated to house an additional 11,000 inmates. Data indicates that King, Pierce, and Spokane Counties have the highest number of inmates admitted into the Washington criminal justice system.

Families, friends, and legal representatives of individuals incarcerated in Washington typically use inmate searches to locate and obtain vital information about them. These Washington inmate searches are crucial in maintaining connections between inmates and interested parties, and also ensuring transparency within the state's criminal justice system by keeping the public informed about inmates' statuses.

What is Washington's Inmate Lookup?

A Washington inmate lookup typically involves searching for details about individuals incarcerated within the state's correctional facilities. You may perform these lookups using several resources, such as the Washington State Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search platform, which allows users to look up inmates currently in a state prison. Likewise, services like VINELink offer real-time updates on inmates in both state and county facilities, with options for victims and other concerned parties to register for notifications on changes to a particular inmate's status.

Inmate lookup services serve to enhance transparency in the Washington correctional system by providing members of the public with access to jail records, in the spirit of the Washington Public Records Act. Accessibility to this information is also crucial for interested parties looking to maintain contact with inmates and/or stay informed on any changes in their circumstances.

What Information Can You Find in a Washington Inmate Search?

You can typically access the following information when you conduct an inmate search in Washington:

• Inmate's full name
• Inmate's ID number
• Inmate's Age
• Inmate's current location (the facility where they are currently being held)

How Are Inmate Records in Washington Created and Stored?

Inmate records in Washington are created when someone is first arrested. After the arrest has been documented, every event that subsequently takes place in the inmate's life is recorded, and their file is updated to provide a complete picture. The arresting officer fills out a RAP sheet containing basic demographic information like the individual's name, address, and phone number and then documents details about the crime. Once the inmate is sentenced to prison, the Washington State Department of Corrections takes over, stores updates, and maintains all inmate records.

The WADOC provides an inmate lookup tool on its website that can be used to access its consolidated inmate records database, making it possible for interested members of the public to run a Washington inmate search at any time.

What Does Washington's Prison System Look Like?

Washington has a relatively straightforward prison system that comprises several types of facilities, each designed to house specific types of inmates and serve distinct purposes. These include state-run prisons, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and a federal prison.

The state-run prisons are overseen and managed by the Washington State Department of Corrections. These facilities have varying security levels, and they typically hold individuals who have been convicted of a felony and sentenced to more than one year. On the other hand, county jails are managed by sheriff's offices (some municipalities also have city jails/lockups managed by local police departments). County jails in Washington generally house individuals convicted of sentences that carry a penalty of less than one year, as well as pre-trial detainees, offenders awaiting sentencing, and inmates awaiting transfer to state or federal prisons.

Washington also has a federal prison in Seattle, FDC SeaTac – this facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and houses pre-trial detainees and inmates serving short federal sentences. In addition to the state, county, and federal prisons, there are also several juvenile rehabilitation facilities in Washington. These facilities are managed by the state's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and are designed to hold youth offenders.

Types of Correctional Facilities in Washington

Washington has 11 state prisons that hold felons who broke state laws. Each facility has a specific purpose and custody level classification (from minimum security to maximum security), and two of these prisons are specifically designed for women. All state-run prison facilities are overseen by the Washington State Department of Corrections. The state also operates juvenile rehabilitation facilities, which house youth offenders – these facilities are managed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Likewise, the sole federal prison located in Washington is managed and operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, while county (and city) jails are run by local law enforcement.

Washington State Prisons

All Washington state prisons are overseen and managed by the state's Department of Corrections. These prisons have different security levels, and the appropriate security level and facility placement for an inmate is determined by a scoring tool that evaluates their progress and risks to others, including the community, staff, and other inmates. There are currently 11 state prisons in Washington, two of which are designated for women only:

• Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)
• Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC)
• Clallam Bay Corrections Center (CBCC)
• Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC)
• Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW)
• Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC)
• Olympic Corrections Center (OCC)
• Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC)
• Washington Corrections Center (WCC)
• Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW)
• Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)

Washington County Jails

There are over 39 county jails in Washington, including

• King County Jail
• Pierce County Jail
• Spokane County Jail
• Snohomish County Jail
• Clark County Jail

Some cities also operate local police jails, lockups, and holding facilities. Each county (and city) jail is operated and managed entirely by local law enforcement, and these facilities typically hold recently arrested suspects and pretrial detainees, as well as offenders serving short terms. A quick online search is usually the best way to get information on local jails in Washington; some facilities also offer online tools that can be used to perform jail inmate searches and access certain jail records.

Washington Juvenile Detention Centers

Washington's juvenile rehabilitation program is overseen and managed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families and is specifically designed to serve high-risk youth offenders (up until the individual is 25 years old). This program currently includes a total of 10 juvenile detention centers (two secure rehabilitation facilities and eight community facilities):

Secure Residential Facilities

• Echo Glen Children's Center
• Green Hill School

Community Facilities

• Canyon View Community Facility
• Oakridge Community Facility
• Parke Creek Community Facility
• Ridgeview Community Facility
• Sunrise Community Facility
• Touchstone Community Facility
• Twin Rivers Community Facility
• Woodinville Community Facility

Note that juvenile inmate searches are generally not available online. Access to juvenile records typically requires direct contact with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Washington Community Correctional Facilities

In addition to its prison facilities, the Washington State Department of Corrections also operates 11 reentry centers that focus on helping eligible inmates transition from prison confinement:

• Ahtanum View Reentry Center
• Bellingham Reentry Center
• Brownstone Reentry Center
• Eleanor Chase House Reentry Center
• Helen B. Ratcliff Reentry Center
• Longview Reentry Center
• Olympia Reentry Center
• Peninsula Reentry Center
• Reynolds Reentry Center
• Tri-Cities Reentry Center
• Wenatchee Valley Reentry Center

Why are People Incarcerated in Washington?

Roughly 24,000 people are incarcerated in Washington, with more than half of them held in state prisons. These incarcerations are usually for a wide array of offenses, ranging from murder and armed robbery to burglary, vandalism, and drug trafficking. These offenses are broadly classified into three main categories:

• Crimes against persons/violent crimes, like murder, assault, armed robbery, manslaughter, and sex crimes
• Property crimes, like burglary, arson, theft, vandalism, and shoplifting
• Drug crimes

Violent crimes account for more than 80 percent of the incarcerations in the state and usually carry sentences of more than one year. These long sentences are designed to ensure public safety while allowing time for inmates to engage in rehabilitative programs to address the root causes of their criminal behavior. On the other hand, non-violent crimes (property crimes and certain drug-related offenses) typically carry shorter jail terms or alternative sentencing options like community service, probation, or participation in drug treatment programs.

Washington offers several tools, such as VINELink and the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search platform, for conducting inmate searches. With these tools, you can look up information on individuals incarcerated across the state, including the facility where they are being held.

Washington's Incarceration Rate and Statistics

Washington has experienced a steady downward trend in incarcerations over the years. Between 2016 and 2022 alone, incarceration rates dropped from 259 inmates per 100,000 people to 174 per 100,000, a difference of nearly 33 percent. State prison populations also dropped by approximately 26 percent during this period.

The table below illustrates Washington's year-end incarceration rates and total inmate numbers over a 7-year period:

*figures extrapolated from average male and female daily populations

Life After Incarceration in Washington

Inmates released from prison in Washington generally focus on reconnecting with family and friends, reintegrating into society, and trying to rebuild the life they left behind (due to their incarceration). However, the state currently has a recidivism rate of about 32%, meaning that roughly one in three released offenders are likely to return to prison within three years of release. This may happen for several reasons, including lack of family or community support, as well as limited job and housing opportunities.

To counter this, the Washington State Department of Corrections (WADOC) provides several resources aimed at helping inmates smoothly transition back into the community after they are released and reducing the likelihood of them going back behind bars. These resources include educational and vocational programming, substance abuse and treatment programs, housing assistance programs, and hands-on job training via its Correctional Industries work programs. Be aware that eligibility for some of these programs may vary based on the inmate's specific circumstances and history.

How Does Parole Work in Washington?

Parole is a privilege given to inmates who have served a portion of their sentence. The decision to grant parole is typically determined after a thorough analysis of the inmate's behavior during their incarceration and their potential risk to public safety. If granted, the parolee is usually released with a set of terms, like checking in with a parole officer once a week. If they violate any of the terms of their parole, they will return to prison for the remainder of their sentence. As of 2022, approximately 10,780 individuals were on parole in Washington.

Washington Parole Population in 2022

How Does Someone Get Probation in Washington?

In some situations, a judge may order probation rather than prison – this typically happens for non-violent crimes when the offender is low-risk. Probation is a supervisory program where the probationer must be monitored and reviewed periodically. The offender must follow a set of court-ordered rules during their probationary period or risk going to prison to serve out their sentence. As of 2022, there were approximately 60,280 individuals on probation in Washington.

Washington Probation Population in 2022