Washington Corrections Ombuds Organizational Chart
Staff Bios
Angee (she/her) is a member of the OCO Leadership Team and has held multiple positions within the OCO since she was hired in January 2019. Over the past ten years, she has been active in her community by offering one-on-one support for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorder by developing recovery plans, coping methods, and rehabilitation strategies. She believes in trauma-informed care, which is defined as practices that promote a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing. Angee has an Associate’s Degree from Pierce Community College and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Community Psychology at New Mexico State University.
Contact: Angee Schrader
Elisabeth (she/her) is a member of the OCO Leadership Team and has worked at legal aid and policy organizations around the country. Her previous roles include senior researcher at Community Voices at Morehouse School of Medicine, Mental Health Unit staff attorney at Prisoners' Legal Services of New York, and Equal Justice Works Americorps attorney at Legal Assistance of Western New York. Elisabeth earned her JD at Northeastern School of Law, where she was named a Public Interest Law Scholar, and her BA in Political Science at Boston University.
Contact: Elisabeth Kingsbury
Carolina (she/her) identifies as a Mexican-American woman. She is a graduate of the Evergreen State College with a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree with a focus on political science and policy. Her three areas of specialized work are social justice, disabilities, and immigration. Carolina is an active member of the OCO PEAR Team. In addition to her work at the OCO, Carolina was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to serve as a council member on the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council.
Contact: Heather Bates
Heather Bates (she/her) began working for the OCO in December 2021 and is currently the Customer Service & Office Manager. In this role, she supports the Policy Advisor with Public Record Requests, manages the OCO hotline, and works to resolve concerns from incarcerated individuals and their families. She has personal knowledge of the destruction associated with substance abuse and has been involved with a non-profit organization committed to helping others recover for over five years. She believes that people can change and improve their lives if they are given the right tools and support needed for success. Heather has an Associate’s Degree from South Puget Sound Community College and is currently attending Pierce College, where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Business Management with a certificate in Human Resources.
Stella (she/her)brings skills from her degree focused in institutional history and public policy from The Evergreen State College. She has a passion for helping others and policy reform. She brings strong organizational skills to the team and is an asset as one of the first interns. She is serious about justice reform and feels that all people deserve dignity and respect. Stella has seen the OCO office grow into what it is today and is excited to see what the future brings. Stella is also a certified local of the PNW that loves the outdoors and her cats.
Rebecca (she/her) is an Early Resolution Ombuds (ERO) member of the investigative casework team lead by Stella Spracklin. Rebecca learned about the Office of the Corrections Ombuds during her foundational practicum for her Master of Social Work Degree working with transgender incarcerated individuals. She was immediately interested in the work of the OCO and worked with EV Webb on the first OCO Transgender and GNC Systemic Review. Rebecca worked with her school advisors and OCO staff and was approved to complete her advanced practicum as an intern with the OCO. After graduating from the University of Washington with her MSW degree, she began working as a full-time ERO. Rebecca is interested in alternatives to incarceration, successful re-entry, and policy related to incarceration.
Contact: Zachary Kinneman
Zak (he/him) brings skills from a career in private industry and as a former practicing attorney in the state of Washington to his position with the OCO. Zak is also a founding member of Next Chapter Foundation, a Tacoma based nonprofit that provides temporary housing, and educational assistance to homeless women with children seeking a permanent home. He received a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Puget Sound in 1986 and a J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law, in 1988.
Jessica (she/her) is an Early Resolution Ombuds (ERO) member of the intake casework team lead by Heather Hamilton. Jessica brings her lived experience as well as her deep passion for helping women who have recently been released from incarceration to her work at the Office of the Corrections Ombuds. Jessica also works as Co-Director of New Connections in Tacoma, WA. Jessica is engaged in other community organizing work including assisting families in navigating the court system and helping individuals with Legal Financial Obligation (LFO) debt relief and legislative advocacy.
Jessica received her undergraduate degree from The Evergreen State College Tacoma Program with a concentration on Sociology and Community Organizing in 2018 and is a fellow of the Columbia University Women’s Collective Leadership Institute 2021 cohort.
Chase (they/them) is an Early Resolution Ombuds (ERO) member of the investigative casework team lead by E.V. Webb. They joined OCO in November 2021.With a 12-year background in nursing, they got their start in pediatrics and then moved on to DOC patient care in Washington and Florida. For the last three years, Chase has also served on the best practices subcommittee for the Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN), an LGBTQ+ business resource group for the state. Chase wanted to become an ombud after personally needing one as a teenager when they received inadequate healthcare. During their DOC work, they also saw holes in the system that called for intervention. These experiences inspired them to be a catalyst for change.
Madison (she/her) is an Early Resolution Omubds (ERO) member of the investigative casework team lead by Stella Spracklin. Madison has worked with OCO for two years, starting as a disciplinary infractions intern and moving to an Early Resolution Ombuds. She has experience in a variety of areas including probation, private defense, and clemency work. She received her BA from the University of Washington majoring in Sociology with minors in Diversity, International Studies, and Law, Societies and Justice. She is currently a JD candidate at Seattle University. She has an interest in decarceration, abolishing the death penalty, and overturning wrongful convictions.
Early Resolution Ombuds (ERO) member of the investigative casework team lead by Stella Spracklin
Early Resolution Ombuds (ERO) member of the investigative casework team lead by E.V. Webb.
Caitlin Robertson, Ph.D. (she/her), was apointed director of the Office of the Corrections Ombuds by Gov. Jay Inslee effective June 1, 2022.
Caitie joined the OCO in 2020 as the lead assistant ombuds for investigations originating at the state's four eastern corrections facilities, where she worked on high-priority investigations related to severe bodily harm and staff conduct. She holds a PhD in leadership studies from Gonzaga University, a graduate certificate in justice and peace studies from the Iliff School of Theology, and a master's degree in conflict and dispute resolution from the University of Oregon School of Law.
Contact: Caitlin Robertson, Ph.D.