KENNEWICK, Wash. – Reentry centers across Washington are at risk of shutting down due to budget cuts. Earlier today, a rally took place outside the Tri-Cities Reentry Center in Kennewick, where community members voiced concerns about the potential closures.
Six reentry centers have been mentioned in the budget plans of the governor, house, and senate. Former and current residents believe that closing these centers would negatively impact the community.
James Dudley, a resident of the Tri Cities Re-entry Center since July, highlighted the support he received.
“It’s helping me get mentally acclimated, to be back into society because the staff is allowing us to get employment and also get involved with the church community so that I have a great support system so that when I do transition from this place into the community, I have a platform to be successful,” he said.
The Department of Corrections Secretary Tim Lang acknowledged the benefits of these centers across the state.
In a full statement given to NonStopLocal, he stated, “Department of Corrections reentry centers provide a critical bridge between life in prison and life in the community. They offer a structured residential setting where people can focus on finding employment, enrolling in school, seeking housing, and engaging in treatment.”
“Successful reentry also is a matter of public safety. We know that reentry center graduates are less likely to commit new crimes and wind up back in prison.”
“For these reasons, recommending closure of one or more reentry centers is not easy. Staff do incredible, life-changing work at every one of our 11 reentry centers across the state. But the reality is that the state faces a $12 billion budget deficit, and agencies across state government are having to make hard choices – hard choices that impact employees and the people we serve.”
“DOC has excess reentry center capacity. These facilities are running at less than 50% capacity because of sentencing reforms that have reduced the minimum-custody population eligible for reentry center placement.”
“The Legislature has a difficult job, and it is still early in the session. We are continuing to evaluate the Department’s recommendations about reentry center closures, with our focus on maintaining capacity where needed in the state, while also making reductions necessitated by the budget crisis.”
Brian Whitman, a former resident, shared his perspective on the importance of such facilities.
“I’d probably be back doing that old stuff that I was doing to get me involved and having to be at this place, and I’ve lost more than I can count friends and acquaintances to drugs and that have passed away since then. I think I’d be right back out there, maybe not alive,” he said.
Paul Anderson, another former resident, now works as a general manager at Tri City Glass and employs residents from the facility. He emphasized the skills learned at the center.
“I’ve transitioned out before without work release, and it never panned out. They teach you a lot of abilities to be able to work and to be successful with socializing with other people,” he said.
Winnie Chan, who has been with the Department of Corrections for over 20 years and managed the Tri Cities Reentry Center for a decade, expressed her belief in the potential of the residents.
“These residents are more than what’s on paper. I’ve met thousands of residents, incarcerated people who are good people, who made some poor decisions. They should have the opportunity to improve their lives and give back,” she said.
