The Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO) is actively participating in the Washington State Office of Equity's Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan and Playbook.
Governor Jay Inslee signed Executive Order 22-04, which included creating the Washington State Office of Equity. The Office of Equity is charged with:
- Helping agencies meet their reporting requirements
- Holding the agencies accountable for compliance with the order
- Reporting compliance to the Legislature and the Governor
As mandated by Executive Order 22-04, the OCO works to ensure that Washington is a state where all are welcomed and will have the opportunity to thrive regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of sensory, mental, or physical disability.
The OCO's PEAR Team includes all OCO staff as well as Tianna Cain, who is a member of the community and a former OCO Employee. Ms. Cain is a friend and family member to several people both previously and currently incarcerated in the Washington Department of Corrections. The team is committed to partnering with people and communities impacted by our programs with the goal of listening, planning, and beginning to bridge gaps and reduce disparities.
The OCO hopes to partner with empathy-centered community members to embed the PEAR Framework in all agency decision making and actions. All are welcome; we hope you will join the OCO's PEAR team. If you would like to learn more, please email the OCO PEAR Team. Thank you!
