# How Does Work Release Work in Washington State? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/how-does-work-release-work-in-washington-state/ - Published: 2023-10-19 - Author: Lillie Gabler - Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/) --- Work release programs allow incarcerated individuals to leave jail or prison temporarily to go to work. Washington State offers a well-established work release program that provides supervised, transitional employment opportunities to help inmates successfully reintegrate into their communities after release. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how Washington‘s work release program operates, who is eligible, the rules participants must follow, the many benefits of these programs, and how work release aids the transition from prison back to productive lives. ## What is Work Release? Work release provides selected inmates the chance to leave confinement and engage in approved, supervised, paid employment or vocational training in the community during their sentence. At the end of the workday, participants return to Department of Corrections facilities or contracted residential centers. These facilities provide a structured environment with oversight and supportive services. Work release aims to improve post-prison success through helping inmates: - Develop marketable job skills - Earn and save wages to support re-entry - Access counseling, coaching, classes - Maintain community and family ties According to the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), over 2,500 inmates participate in work release programs across the state each month. Nationally, work release participation increased 13% from 2000 to 2016, with over 175,000 inmates involved as of 2019 according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. ## Work Release Eligibility and Application Inmates must meet certain criteria to qualify for work release in Washington: - At least 12 months left on sentence - Classified as minimum or medium security risk - History of good behavior and compliance - High school diploma, GED certification, or enrolled in academic programming - Approved housing and employment plan Eligible inmates can apply through their classification counselor or corrections center superintendent. Applicants are thoroughly screened including review of their conviction history, custody level, behavior record, needs assessment, and more. Work release is considered a privilege earned through good conduct and progress in rehabilitation programs. Those approved are granted "community custody" status under close supervision. ## The Work Release Experience ### Housing and Facilities Participants reside in supervised housing alongside other work release inmates. This is usually located in or adjacent to the jail or prison. Others are placed in contracted re-entry or transition facilities. Housing includes shared bedrooms, common areas, cafeterias, recreation space, counseling services, and security monitoring. Room and board costs are deducted from wages. ### Jobs and Programs Inmates seek their own employment with help from staff. Jobs can range from construction, manufacturing, and warehousing to retail, food service, janitorial, and landscaping. Some pursue vocational programs or college classes. DOC reported over 915 inmates participated in academic programs through work release centers in 2021. Participants must get all schedules approved ahead of time. Random checks at job sites help ensure compliance along with mandatory drug testing and searches. ### Rules and Expectations Strict rules govern all aspects of work release. Participants must: - Abide by center policies and schedules - Remain at approved locations during assigned times - Avoid alcohol, drugs, weapons - Refrain from criminal conduct - Report issues or changes promptly Failure to comply can result in disciplinary sanctions or removal from community custody status. ## Benefits of Work Release Programs Work release offers many advantages for inmates, prisons, and the public: - **Valuable Job Experience** – Gain marketable skills, training, credentials, references, and resumes that improve employment prospects after release. Inmates get a chance to demonstrate reliability, expertise, and maturity to potential employers. - **Financial Savings** – Participants can save a portion of wages to help pay fines, restitution, and living expenses after prison. Prisons also offset incarceration costs through room and board fees collected. According to DOC, work release inmates pay nearly $5 million towards their confinement annually. - **Lower Recidivism** – Multiple studies show participants in work release have lower rates of reoffending after release compared to the general prison population. A report by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy found work release reduces felony recidivism by 5.6%. - **Earlier Reintegration** – Work release helps inmates gradual transition back into the community, build support systems, and adjust to post-prison life – key factors in successful re-entry. - **Improved Mental Health** – The increased autonomy and normalized structure has psychological benefits that help reduce substance abuse and disciplinary issues. Inmates gain a sense of purpose and achievement. ## Work Release Wages and Deductions Participants do receive compensation from their employers, but only a small portion of earnings are available to them as spending money under policy set by DOC. Here‘s how it works: - Compensation rates are based on comparable wages for the same job on the open labor market. Inmates are considered employees of the work release facility, not the employer. - Deductions are taken from gross pay for taxes, room and board, court-ordered financial obligations like victim restitution, child support, necessary medical expenses, and a required savings account. - The remaining net balance after deductions is provided as spending money, subject to limitations based on performance levels: - _Level 1 (Basic Privileges):_ Up to $100 per month - _Level 2 (Full Privileges):_ Up to $300 per month - Inmates cannot access savings until finishing the program. Funds are intended to help restart their lives after release. ## Conclusion Washington‘s work release program has transformed thousands of lives by preparing inmates for a successful return to the workforce and lowering recidivism. The supervised, transitional employment provides job skills, wages, structure, responsibility, and community connections vital for reintegration. While work release has strict oversight, it grants participants a chance to demonstrate their potential and readiness for a fresh start after incarceration. --- Source: [How Does Work Release Work in Washington State?](https://33rdsquare.com/how-does-work-release-work-in-washington-state/)