About the Department of Corrections
Mission Statement
To improve public safety
Vision Statement
Working together for safe communities
Statement of Values
- Staff as our greatest asset: We are committed to the personal and professional development of our staff, and actively seek staff involvement and a shared sense of commitment and service at all levels.
- Professionalism and quality of service: As correctional professionals, we demonstrate our commitment through competency, accountability, ethics, and pride in work.
- A safe, healthy work environment: We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and offenders.
- Respect for individuals: We recognize the diversity of individuals and their contributions, and we strive to treat all people– offenders, staff, and public – with dignity and understanding.
- Clear, open, honest communication: We encourage communication that promotes unity, productivity, and understanding.
- People’s ability to grow and change: We acknowledge that people – offenders and staff – have the need and ability to grow and change and we support their endeavors.
- Community interaction: We encourage positive interaction with the community as we strive to promote public safety, community protection, and public understanding.
What We Do
The Department of Corrections is responsible for administering adult corrections programs operated by the State of Washington. This includes state correctional institutions and programs for offenders supervised in the community.
Leadership
The Secretary of Corrections is the executive head of the Department. The current Secretary is Eldon Vail. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the state Senate.
Agency Size
The Department employs approximately 8,000 men and women and has a current biennial operating budget of $1.8 billion.
Our Goals
The law establishing the Department identifies several broad objectives for the agency. It is to operate in a manner that provides maximum safety for the public, staff and offenders. It punishes those convicted of violating criminal laws by denying them their personal liberty. And it positively impacts offenders by stressing personal responsibility and accountability, and by discouraging recidivism.
Today, a major Department focus is on reducing recidivism—or repeated criminal behavior—through “reentry” programs that treat the underlying causes of criminal behavior, including lack of education, inadequate job skills, and addiction to drugs or alcohol. Learn more about reentry.
How We Are Organized
The Department’s organizational structure includes four major divisions—Prisons, Community Corrections, Administrative Services, and Government, Community Relations and Regulatory Compliance. Each division has an Assistant Secretary who oversees the division's operations. Two smaller departments—Health Services and Offender Programs, report directly to the Deputy Secretary.