Legislation before the Washington Senate would ban private prisons from operating in the Evergreen State.
Washington currently has no private prisons, and the measure looks to keep it that way, prohibiting private detention facilities even when they have contracts with federal agencies.
Democratic Senator Rebecca Saldaña, of Seattle, says making sure people receive the treatment and rehabilitation they need to their communities is a public responsibility, without the privatization element of profit and quotas.
Under the bill, no business, state or local government would be allowed to sign an agreement with any out-of-state governmental or private organization. Any existing agreements between organizations would be allowed to continue until they expire.
Nursing homes, residential rehabilitation centers ,and secure community transition and living facilities would be exempt.
The bill could also affect contracts with private work-release operators. The Washington Department of Corrections currently contracts with private entities for eight out of its 12 work-release programs. DOC officials suggest the bill be amended to exempt some work-release facilities operated by the agency, as those facilities contract with private providers for certain services because it’s less expensive than using state employees.
Saldaña says she’ll consider making the change as the measure moves forward. (Spokesman Review)
