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SB 5409

Concerning a pilot program creating a healthier environment for correctional officers, department of corrections staff, and individuals within a correctional facility.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes a four-year pilot at Washington State Penitentiary East Complex to improve health, safety, and reentry outcomes for staff and incarcerated individuals.

Referred to Ways & Means.
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Bill Summary · SB 5409

Summary: SB 5409 – Pilot program for a healthier correctional environment

Purpose and intent

SB 5409 proposes a four-year pilot program at the Washington State Penitentiary East Complex to create a healthier environment for correctional officers, Department of Corrections (DOC) staff, and incarcerated individuals. The bill recognizes negative physical and mental health impacts of incarceration on both staff and inmates and aims to improve reentry readiness, reduce violence, and enhance security and health outcomes within the facility. The overarching goal is to foster better communication, reduce recidivism, and support a workforce able to recruit and retain qualified personnel.

Key provisions

  • New pilot program (RCW 72.09): Establishes a four-year pilot at the Washington State Penitentiary East Complex with specific goals:
    • Improve communication among correctional officers, DOC staff, and incarcerated individuals.
    • Contribute to reduced recidivism for participants.
  • Mentor/officer roles: Select contact officers to serve as mentors and coaches, guiding incarcerated individuals toward prosocial behavior and aiding their continuum of reentry.
  • Officer training: Train officers in the pilot on dynamic security tactics to strengthen officer-inmate relationships; some officers may receive specialized crisis de-escalation training.
  • Work environment improvements: Improve the work environment for staff (including decompression rooms) and enhance life inside the facility to resemble community conditions as much as possible. Improvements may include physical changes such as painting and planting programs.
  • Administrative requirements: The DOC secretary must adopt rules and policies to implement the pilot.
  • Annual reporting: By December 1 each year (consistent with RCW 43.01.036), the DOC must report to the governor and legislature on:
    • Participant numbers and a summary of improvement projects.
    • Patterns and effects on behaviors and participation.
    • Differential outcomes between participants and non-participants.
    • Recidivism outcomes for participants while incarcerated (arrests, charges, convictions).
  • Expiration: The pilot program expires June 30, 2030.

Who is affected

  • Primary participants: Correctional officers, DOC staff, and incarcerated individuals at the Washington State Penitentiary East Complex.
  • Implementers: Washington State Department of Corrections (the Secretary and relevant program coordinators).
  • Legislative/oversight: Governor and Legislature receive annual reports; ongoing monitoring by the Ways & Means Committee (and related committees).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: January 22, 2025.
  • Initial referrals and actions: Referred to Human Services (Jan 22, 2025); public hearing in Senate Human Services (Feb 4, 2025).
  • Committee actions (Senate): HS – Majority “do pass”; Minority “without recommendation” (Feb 12, 2025); then referred to Ways & Means (Feb 12–13, 2025).
  • Status: Referred to Ways & Means; bill text adds a new section to RCW 72.09 and creates a standalone reporting/operational framework.
  • Reporting timeline: Annual reports due by December 1 each year during the pilot, through 2030.
  • Expiration: June 30, 2030, unless extended or reenacted.

Additional context

  • The bill emphasizes health, safety, and reentry success as interrelated goals, linking improved well-being of staff and incarcerated individuals with potential reductions in violence and recidivism.
  • There are no explicit cost figures in the bill text; fiscal details would likely be addressed during Ways & Means consideration.

This summary captures the bill’s core purpose, core provisions, affected parties, and key timelines to help readers understand SB 5409's scope and potential impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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