OCO Monitoring Visits: The practice of routinely inspecting all correctional institutions to assess and report on the facility conditions and treatment of people who are incarcerated. All facilities are inspected, not just those with known problems. Monitoring is critical for ensuring the safety of all people inside. It is a proactive process meant to provide early identification of concerns about conditions and ill-treatment.
December 2024 = 11 prison monitoring visits
OCO Staff: Angee Schrader & Heather Bates OCO Action: OCO staff met with staff members of the Washington Way Team. OCO staff also incarcerated individuals living in the IMU and COA. OCO Staff: Nicholas Brock, Zak Kinneman, and Ethan Meade OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals living in the MSC. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader & Heather Bates OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals living in the IMU. OCO staff also interacted with numerous incarcerated individuals and staff throughout the facility, including members of the Washington Way Team. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals living in the IMU. OCO staff also interacted with numerous incarcerated individuals and staff throughout the facility, including in the Minimum Security Campus (MSC) and the Main Institution (MSU).
OCO Staff: Jacob Marley & Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals living in Pine Unit and completed cell-front conversations with numerous people living in the IMU. OCO staff also met with staff working in both living units.
OCO Staff: Nicholas Brock, Zak Kinneman, Ethan Meade and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff met individually with incarcerated individuals in the evening. OCO Staff: Nick Brock, Ethan Meade, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with CTAP students, faculty, and staff to learn more about the CCCC-CTAP program. OCO Staff: Nick Brock, Ethan Meade, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with CTAP students, faculty, and staff to learn more about the SCCC-CTAP program. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Jewish Cultural event and celebrated the upcoming holidays with incarcerated individuals, family and friends of the incarcerated, elected state representatives, and community leaders.
OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson & Elisabeth Kingsbury OCO Action: The OCO Director and Deputy Director made an unannounced evening visit.
OCO Staff: Nicholas Brock, Zak Kinneman, Ethan Meade, and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC health services staff and spoke individually with incarcerated individuals living in the close observation area (COA) and working out in the recreation area.
November 2024 = 4 prison monitoring visits
OCO Staff: Stella Spracklin & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff met with members of the Black Prisoners' Caucus (BPC) and participated in a BPC meeting.
OCO Staff: Stella Spracklin, David Skattebo, & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff met with members of the Black Prisoners' Caucus (BPC) and participated in a BPC meeting.
OCO Staff: Angee Schrader & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff met with numerous incarcerated individuals living at Sky River Treatment Center, the COA, and the IMU.
OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director made an unannounced evening visit to monitor the IMU and the receiving units.
October 2024 = 12 prison monitoring visits
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in the IMU and in G Unit. OCO Staff: Elisabeth Kingsbury and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director and Deputy Director made an unannounced visit to monitor the body scanner process, the reception center, and to meet with mental health staff. OCO staff also visited with a small group of incarcerated individuals in a living unit dayroom. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited individuals in the IMU and the COA. OCO Staff: All OCO staff OCO Action: OCO staff & OFCO staff met with incarcerated individuals for our Third Quarter Public Meeting. After the formal presentation, staff and guests met ins mall groups for an hour to answer individual questions. Prior to the meeting, OCO & OFCO staff met with facility leadership, toured the facility, and spoke with CTAP program staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Heather Bates, and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals and DOC staff in the COA. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff visited the living units and spoke directly with incarcerated individuals in the dayrooms. OCO staff were also provided an unscheduled tour of the SPO outdoor area including the worm farm, garden, and chicken coop. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Stella Spracklin, David Skattebo, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in Cascade & Olympic Units, and met with students engaged in agility training as part of the introduction to the Construction Trades Apprenticeship Preparation (CTAP) program. OCO staff also met with CTAP staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Heather Bates, and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals in the IMU, close custody, and the Hill. OCO Staff also met with DOC staff in the hearings department to follow up on concerns gathered during the Open Hours Pilot in September. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff met with Tier Reps and facility staff about the upcoming quarterly meeting for the incarcerated at CCCC planned for later this month. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Sky River Treatment Center (SRTC) and met with many incarcerated individuals in various units, including the Close Observation Area. OCO Staff: Stella Spracklin, Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with the Facility Program Manager, visited with incarcerated individuals and listened to their concerns while providing technical assistance.
July, August, and September 2024 = 26 prison monitoring visits
OCO Staff: Stella Spracklin, Jacob Marley, David, Skattebo, Sara Appleton, EV Webb, Jessica Means, Madison Vinson, Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman, Heather Bates OCO Action: OCO staff conducted the second pilot of the OCO Open Hours Program visiting every living unit at WCCW. During the Open Hours Pilot OCO staff collected concerns, provided in person technical assistance and collected feedback. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton, EV Webb, Jessica Means, Madison Vinson, Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman, Heather Bates OCO Action: OCO staff conducted the second pilot of the OCO Open Hours Program visiting every living unit at WCCW. During the Open Hours Pilot OCO staff collected concerns, provided in person technical assistance and collected feedback. OCO Staff: Carmen Donovan OCO Action: Visited facility to review concerns of Securus Tablet FYI App information access. Met with incarcerated indivduals and examined their personal tablets to identify issues. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the base camp for DOC fire crews from CCCC and OCC. Crews were deployed to a DNR fire site outside of Bois Forte region. While the line crews were not in camp, OCO staff was able to visit with support staff from the camp and monitored the portable kitchens and met with DNR staff. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Madison Vinson, Zak Kinneman OCO Action: Celebrated the graduates of the TRU New Freedom Group. OCO Staff: Jacob Marley & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff met with members of the Washington Way Resource Team in the IMU, spoke with incarcerated individuals working in the CI warehouse, met with members of the Black Prisoner's Caucus, and met with facility leadership. OCO Staff: Heather Bates and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met CCCC staff and representatives of the Department of Natural Resources. OCO discussed a plan to travel with DOC fire crews to visit during a break time while the crews at a fire in the Bois Fort area while the crews were working an active fire. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the regularly scheduled Tuesday evening meeting of the Concerned Lifer's Organization. OCO staff met and spoke with members and sponsors of the CLO. OCO Staff: EV Webb and Sara Appleton OCO Action: OCO staff attended the 5th annual MCC Pride Event. OCO Staff: EV Webb, Angee Schrader, Heather Bates and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community, Tier Representatives, and individuals in Restrictive Housing. OCO staff also toured the facility laundry operations and spoke with both line workers and leads about concerns raised during the tier rep meeting. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the regularly scheduled Friday evening meeting of the Black Prisoner's Caucus and met with members, the organization's sponsor, and other invited guests. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton OCO Action: OCO staff attended Airway Heights pride event and met with incarcerated individuals attending the event, DOC staff charged with coordinating the event, non-incarcerated guests who attended the event and the non-incarcerated sponsors for the AHCC Pride group. OCO staff also visited the Secretary of State's library inside Airway Heights. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director confidentially met with two individuals on Ad-Seg. She also answered questions from various people cell-front while in the IMU. OCO Staff: All OCO Action: OCO staff conducted the first pilot of the new Open Hours Program in Evergreen, Pine, and Cedar living units. During the Open Hours Pilot OCO staff collected concerns, provided in person technical assistance and collected feedback. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton, Stella Spracklin & Jacob Marley OCO Action: OCO staff and a representative from the Correctional Association of New York (which provides independent monitoring and oversight of state prisons in New York) visited the facility kitchen and conducted informal interviews with the food services manager, and incarcerated individuals employed in the kitchens. The OCO also visited H2 housing unit and met with incarcerated individuals who shared positive experiences they have had working in the bicycle and wheelchair repair shop, the Hobby shop, and in the PAWS of Grays Harbor, Freedom Tails program. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton, Stella Spracklin & David Skattebo OCO Action: OCO staff and a representative from the Correctional Association of New York (which provides independent monitoring and oversight of state prisons in New York) visited the facility kitchen and conducted informal interviews with the food services manager, and incarcerated individuals employed in the kitchens. OCO staff also visited the receiving medical screening areas and conducted informal interviews with DOC staff who were preparing for a chain bus to arrive. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Heather Bates, Madison Vinson and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff traveled to Monroe Corrections Complex and divided into groups of two. Group 1 (Heather Bates and Madison Vinson) did a walkthrough of the medical unit at the Washington State Reformatory and attended a multi-cultural festival taking place at the Minimum-Security Unit. They were able to meet with incarcerated individuals participating in the celebration. Group 2 (Angee Schrader and Zak Kinneman) arranged with facility staff to interview an individual in the Sky River Treatment Unit. Following the interview, they spent the remainder of their time at MCC in the TRU unit. Meeting with incarcerated individuals in several of the living units. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Heather Bates, Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited Washington Corrections Center living units Pine, Evergreen and Cedar. Staff also met with individuals in R4 and in the Education building. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Stella Spracklin, Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated representatives of 12 religious groups to discuss issues between the groups and facility management. Issues that include; access to meeting spaces, when and from what units incarcerated members may gather, and the difficulties surrounding volunteer sponsors required for their group meetings. The OCO team also met with the Religious Coordinator following the meeting with the incarcerated representatives, to discuss the issues raised during the meeting. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director met with some of the incarcerated individuals recently transferred from Green Hill School (DCYF) to the Department of Corrections and with facility leadership. OCO Staff: All OCO Staff OCO Action: The OCO staff presented their second quarter public meeting to residents of K Unit, toured the whole facility, and met with various DOC staff. OCO Staff: All OCO Staff OCO Action: The OCO staff presented their second quarter public meeting to representatives of cultural groups, religious groups, and tier reps; toured the whole facility; and met with various DOC staff. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson, Stella Spracklin and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff members made an unannounced visit to Airway Heights and visited residents in a specific living unit. During the visit, OCO staff completed intake of individual complaints and worked to resolve some issues while at the facility. OCO staff also met with some members of the facility leadership team. OCO Staff: EV Webb & Sara Appleton OCO Action: In preparation for the quarterly meeting OCO staff met with DOC staff to confirm plans and conduct a tech run. OCO staff then visited with people housed in K Unit and spoke with K Unit tier reps to answer questions prior to the meeting. OCO staff attended an LGBTQ Pride group meeting and answered questions the population had about the OCO. This was the first Airway Heights Correctional Center Pride group meeting that the OCO has been able to attend. OCO Staff: EV Webb & Sara Appleton OCO Action: In preparation for the quarterly meeting OCO staff met with DOC staff to confirm plans and conduct a tech run. OCO staff also verified the meeting call out list, and that a requested pre-planning meeting for tier reps; peer mentors; and cultural and religious group leaders has been scheduled. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton and prioritized meetings with individuals in the various living units. The OCO also had an opportunity to sit in on a quarterly Tier Rep and Facility staff meeting.
April, May, and June 2024 = 21 prison monitoring visits
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Sara Appleton OCO Action: OCO staff had been invited to attend the promotion ceremony and celebration for sucessful TC program participants. The OCO had the opportunity to speak with facility leadership, DOC HQ staff, facility mental health providers, and participants of the TC program. Many TC program participants at the meeting expressed concern related to the lack of transparency provided by DOC staff around the requirement to participate in TC and reentry planning options. Participants also expressed concern about not having enough programming/job opportunities to fill their time, and a desire to be allowed to opt out of TC in favor of other shorter programs with similar goals. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff members visited both the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) and the Twin Rivers Unit at the Monroe Correctional Complex. OCO staff did not announce the visit and started with cell front visits in the various pods in the complex. After several hours at the IMU, the OCO traveled to the Twin Rivers Unit, and randomly selected G unit to visit with residents. Concerns related to mold in the facility kitchen were mentioned by the population and after completing the visit to G unit OCO staff then proceeded to the facility kitchen/food prep areas and inspected cold storage units. Photos were taken of the plumbing where evidence of slow leaks and suspected black mold appeared to be present. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman attended the regularly scheduled Local Family Council meeting at MCCCW during the early evening of June 20th. Unfortunately no family representatives were able to attend the meeting. The meeting was also live streamed via TEAMS. There were two tier representatives in attendance and they had an opportunity to speak with Deborah Wofford, Deputy Assistant Secretary - Women's Divison during the meeting via the live stream. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with tier reps, peer support members, and representatives from cultural groups to discuss concerns in preparation for the OCO quarterly meeting. OCO Staff: EV Webb, Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff members attended a Mental Health event sponsored by SCCC Health Care for the incarcerated population put on by the SCCC mental health care team and incarcerated volunteers. Well over 50 individuals attended the event and received certificates for their participation. OCO staff had the opportunity to meet with several individuals on a variety of issues following the conclusion of the event. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with individuals in K-unit to discuss the upcoming OCO quarterly meeting and visited the location where the quarterly meeting will be held. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Jessica Means OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Fathers day, Fishing and BBQ event which included attendance and organizational support provided by Puget Sounds Anglers and the Department of Fishing and Wildlife who arranged for a trout pond and loaned fishing tackle for children and fathers. OCO staff also certified the results of the candy contest. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with members of the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Awarness Group to discuss concerns in preparation for the OCO quarterly meeting. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with individuals at Twin Rivers Unit (TRU). OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson, PhD OCO Action: The OCO Director attended the Powwow and met with incarcerated individuals and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Mother's Day Celebration with families and the incarcerated population. OCO staff met with families and met with facility leadership at the conclusion of the event. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson, PhD OCO Action: The OCO Director met with incarcerated individuals and staff in close custody in the West Complex. She also met with the Superintendent to discuss current facility specific operations. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Zak Kinneman, and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited individuals in the North and South IMUs. Staff observed the movement of individuals within the pods and photographed unoccupied cells, day rooms, and recreational yard areas. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson, PhD OCO Action: The OCO Director met with DOC staff working in the COA and observed physical unit improvements. She checked on people currently housed in the COA. Then, she met with the Superintendent to discuss current facility specific incidents. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff spoke with residents currently in ad seg and with DOC staff. As part of the solitary confinement project, Zak photographed un-occupied "Dry Cells" in a different part of the facility and visited the Close Observation Area (COA). OCO Staff: Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met individually with incarcerated individuals in the Sky River Treatment Center (SRTC) and the IMU. OCO Staff: All OCO Staff OCO Action: All OCO staff participated in the OCO's Quarterly Stakeholder meeting held inside a prison. Staff met with incarcerated individuals representing tiers, cultural groups, and the Washington Way. Following the meeting, OCO staff toured the areas past the "Hub" and spoke directly with many incarcerated people working in various industries at CI. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Sara Appleton OCO Action: OCO staff members met with representatives of various cultural groups at Stafford Corrections Center to discuss their participation in the upcoming quarterly meeting to be held at Stafford Creek on Friday, April 19th. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Heather Bates, and Sara Appleton OCO Action: OCO staff visited the IMU, and walked through one of the transfer pods, as well as C - unit, and spoke with incarcerated individuals who live there. OCO staff also met with facility leadership and walked through Sage Unit located at the camp. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Heather Bates, and Sara Appleton OCO Action: OCO staff visited the SMU, K -Unit, the C.I. Factory, and the MSU-camp. Staff spoke with incarcerated indivduals housed at this facility as well as DOC leadership. OCO Staff: Chase Rapach, David Skattebo, Stella Spracklin, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: In preparation for the Quarterly Community meeting, OCO staff met with incarcerated tier representatives, Washington Way advisory members, cultural groups, and peer mentors to discuss the agenda and key topics. OCO staff also visited the medical unit and with facility leadership to discuss the logistics of the upcoming meeting.
January, February, March 2024 = 25 prison monitoring visits
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member attended the Father Son Field Day event for families and the incarcerated. OCO Staff: E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff attended the MCC Alliances LGBTQ+ meeting, answered questions about the OCO, and actively participated in the meeting activities. OCO Staff: E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in the Intensive Management Unit (IMU). OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in their living units and met with DOC staff regarding clothing donations for individuals in need of appropriate clothing pending release. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Residential Treatment Unit (RTU) workgroup meeting and participated in the work to create a new RTU policy encompassing the disciplinary process as well as classification and custody. OCO staff also met individually with incarcerated individuals in the Sky River Treatment Center (SRTC) and met with members of the facility leadership team. OCO Staff: Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff, Michele Deitch and Alycia Welch from the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, and WCCW Supt. Headley and Assistant Supt. Figueira met and informally discussed ongoing Washington Way and Gender-Informed Practices process improvements projects at WCCW. OCO staff and the PJIL Team toured the facility and OCO staff provided on-site, self-advocacy information to multiple incarcerated individuals. OCO Staff: Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, and Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff, Michele Deitch and Alycia Welch from the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, and Supt. Mason met and informally discussed ongoing process improvements projects at WCC. OCO staff provided the PJIL team with a tour of the reception center, receiving units, and the Intensive Management Unit. While walking through the prison, OCO staff provided on-site, self-advocacy information to multiple incarcerated individuals.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended a presentation for individuals enrolled in the CPAT program organized by representatives of the Cement Masons and Plasterers, Local 528. OCO staff met with the program director and union representatives. OCO staff also visited Cascade and Olympic living units and spoke directly with incarcerated individuals on the tiers and in the day room areas. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff made an unannounced visit to the Dental Clinic and spoke directly with Health Services Staff to discuss long wait times to receive dental care. OCO staff also spoke directly with multiple patients waiting for healthcare services. Finally, OCO staff met with members of the facility leadership team and attended the local family council meeting. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff were invited and attended the Black Prisoners' Caucus (BPC) regular Friday evening meeting. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) and in the Sky River Treatment Center (SRTC), as well as met confidentially with an incarcerated person related to their ongoing case with the OCO. OCO Staff: Chase Rapach, Stella Spracklin, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with tier reps and facility Health Services leadership to discuss updates and ongoing concerns related to health services. This was a follow-up meeting, as requested by the Tier Reps at their October 2023 meeting which OCO staff attended. After meeting with the Tier Reps, OCO staff discussed expanding patient education resources and specific patient concerns directly with Health Services leadership. OCO staff also met with incarcerated individuals living in the segregation unit and visited with various individuals in their general population living units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff visited with incarcerated individuals in their living units at WCC, and spoke with members of the Black Prisoners Caucus (BPC), the Concerned Lifers Organization (CLO), and various members of Native American Tribes and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes of Washington. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) and in various other living units. Members from OCO also spoke with unit staff and facility leadership. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff confidentially met with incarcerated individuals in the BAR Units, IMU South, IMU North, and the Close Observation Areas. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: The OCO staff confidentially met with several incarcerated individuals in IMU South. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals in the Segregation Unit. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with the Washington Way Resource Team and with program participants in the Washington Way Pod, in the Intensive Management Unit (IMU). OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals in various living units and toured an unoccupied Extended Family Visit (EFV) unit. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Stella Spracklin, Madison Vinson, Heather Bates, David Skattebo, Chase Rapach, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals about their concerns related to the food at OCC. Prior to visiting the kitchen and with residents of the camp, OCO staff met with facility leadership. Some OCO staff also met with an individual in the Special Housing Unit. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals throughout the facility and met with members of the facility leadership team. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals throughout the facility and met with members of the facility leadership team. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Madison Vinson, Heather Bates, Rebecca Glosser, Jessica Means, Zak Kinneman, Sara Appleton, Stella Spracklin, and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff presented our quarterly meeting directly to residents of MCCCW. We met in small groups and answered questions about many topics including, healthcare, resolutions, visitation, programming, and mail. OCO staff invited staff from the Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds (OFCO) to join us. OFCO staff met directly with incarcerated parents and provided self-advocacy on-site. OCO Staff and OFCO Staff also met with residents in their units and with leadership of the facility. The OCO invited the new Assistant Secretary Andrewjeski and the Deputy Assistant Secretary Wofford to join our meeting, and the residents at Mission thanked them for attending the meeting. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with individuals throughout the facility, including the infirmary. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff met with individuals in the Twin Rivers Unit. OCO Action: OCO staff traveled to MCCCW on January 8th as part of preparations of the Public Quarterly Meeting scheduled to be held at MCCCW on the 19th. Staff members toured the facility and met with TIer Representatives from Gold and Bear units. OCO staff also met with individuals inthe living units answering questions and providing information unrelated to the upcoming meeting. Following the time spent with individuals, OCO staff had an opportunity to meet with the facility leadership and discussed areas of common concern raised by the population. OCO Staff: Stella Spracklin, David Skattebo, and Zak Kinneman
Total OCO Monitoring Visits in 2023 = 87
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals in the their living units at TRU. Individuals were able to speak directly with OCO staff members as the team visited each living unit and tier. OCO staff also met with members of the facility leadership. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO attended the biweekly meeting of the Black Prisoner's Caucus and met with incarcerated individuals following the meeting. OCO Staff: Heather Bates & Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Winter Event for incarcerated individuals and their families. OCO met with DOC staff, incarcerated individuals, and their loved ones. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with facility leadership and residents in the WSR, IMU, and in the newly named Sky River Treatment Unit, (SRTU) formerly known as SOU.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO attended a meeting of the Black Prisoners Caucus and later met with several of the participants. The OCO also visited the receiving units R 1, 2, and 3. The OCO also visited the Pine living unit, formerly R-6 which has been repurposed as the facility reentry living unit. The OCO had the opportunity to meet with individual participants and staff members who are part of the reentry team. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited individuals in the IMU and in the living units. OCO staff also met with the Superintendent prior to their departure from the facility. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff attended the Harvest Festival for the incarcedrated and their loved ones. OCO met with staff, incarcerated individuals, and their family and friends. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton, Heather Bates, Caitlin Robertson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with Health Services Staff, Unit Staff, and Facility Leadership; toured the facility; and spoke directly with incarcerated individuals in various living units.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff were invited and attended the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Event for residents, family, and friends. They visited with incarcerated individuals, their family and friends, and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with Supt. White (TRU) and Supt. Warner (SOU) and visited with staff of the MCC mailroom. During the visit, OCO staff observed mail processing procedures, including how materials are examined, approved, or rejected, according to DOC policy. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff, as part of the Solitary Confinement Workgroup, visited the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) and conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated people in the Olympic and Cascade living units, toured the facility, and met with DOC staff. OCO Staff: E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with SCCC tier reps and the Director of Nursing to discuss health services concerns and questions. SCCC Health Services Manager and the Director of Nursing agreed to attend regular meetings with the tier reps. Tier reps requested OCO follow up in January. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff, as part of the Solitary Confinement Workgroup, visited the Intensive Management Units (IMUs) North and South and conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. OCO staff also visited the no closed portions of the old prison and inspected areas used in the past for solitary confinement and for isolation of individuals who had tested COVID-19 positive or exhibited COVID-19 symptoms during the height of the pandemic. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff, as part of the Solitary Confinement Workgroup, visited the Intensive Management Units (IMUs) North and South and conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. The OCO also visited the Close Observation Area (COA) in the health services building and spoke with incarcerated people housed in the COA and met with members of the unit staff. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Rebecca Glosser, Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Jessica Means, Chase Rapach, Caitlin Robertson, Angee Schrader, David Skattebo, Stella Spracklin, Madison Vinson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: The OCO staff met with representatives of the incarcerated population and held two quarterly community meetings inside the prison. OCO staff also conducted cell front visits with incarcerated people housed in solitary confinement and met with members of the unit staff. OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, Angee Schrader, Stella Spracklin, Madison Vinson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with CBCC DOC Leadership and toured the facility. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited the Secured Housing Unit (SHU) as part of the OCO Solitary Confinement Workgroup and met with staff and incarcerated individuals.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff were invited and attended the Black Prisoner's Caucus (BPC) meeting. Following the meeting, Zak met with individuals in the Cedar Living Unit. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO was invited and the OCO Director attended the Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Event for residents, family, and friends. She me with incarcerated individuals, their family and friends, and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & E.V. Webb OCO Action: The OCO was invited and Zak attended the powwow for residents, family, and friends. He also met with individuals in the living units following the conclusion of the event. E.V. toured the infirmary, COA, and medical building with the Health Services Manager (HSM). The HSM agreed to schedule and attend an upcoming meeting with the OCO and SCCC tier reps to discuss health services at the facility. E.V. also met with individuals in their living units. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff met with Tier Representatives from the various living units and also visited the Intensive Management Units and examined the Close Observation Area (COA). OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO was invited and Zak Kinneman attended the powwow for residents, family, and friends. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman met with the facility staff, incarcerated individuals, and visited the secured housing unit. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) with DOC staff. Zak and Madison visited two of the living units and met with individuals in the units as well as those involved in the dog program. OCO staff also attended a reentry graduation for six students. OCO Staff: Madison Vinson and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Special Management Unit (SMU) and met with DOC staff in the morning. In afternoon, OCO staff met with individuals in various living units and toured CI food operations. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member, Zak Kinneman, visited the Secured Housing Unit at MCCCW, which is currently unoccupied. Zak also met with the Superintendent and interviewed individuals in the Bear and Gold Creek units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Madison Vinson OCO Action: OCO staff were invited to attend an outdoor activity, sponsored by DOC staff, for the incarcerated population living in the Special Offender Unit (SOU). In response to the issues raised by individuals at TRU, the OCO examined and tested showers in the unit. Facility maintenance and the Superintendent were subsequently notified of the findings. OCO staff also met with individuals in the unit. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member, Zak Kinneman, met with the Superintendent and visited the Secured Housing Unit adjacent to the Cascade living unit. Zak also visited the SHU that is located in another part of the camp facility. During COVID, this unit was used for isolation purposes. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Caitlin Robertson, Elisabeth Kingsbury, E.V. Webb, Kristine Dibble, Madison Vinson, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff members spent time in the Intensive Management Unit visiting with incarcerated individuals and DOC staff. OCO staff also toured the updated reception center with facility leadership and observed the newly installed body scanner that was required by SB 5695 (2021-22). OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff member, E.V. Webb, attended a scheduled facility-wide tier representative meeting and met with individuals in their living units. Subsequently, they joined Angee Schrader and Zak Kinneman conducting cell front visits with individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member, Zak Kinneman, attended the SOU tier representative meeting with Unit Representatives and DOC staff. OCO Staff: Kristine Dibble & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff members hosted a conversation with tier reps, medical tier reps, and DOC HQ staff working on the Washington Way (Amend), as a follow-up to a previous stakeholder meeting at TRU in which people asked for additional information about Amend. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff members attended the regularly scheduled Tier Rep meeting for the Evergreen and Cedar living units. Following the meeting, OCO staff visited individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director made an unannounced Sunday visit to observe visitation, meet with individuals, and observe dinner in the dining hall. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff members held an OCO-only meeting with tier representatives from the Fox Unit. We also met with specific individuals in the Baker, Adams, and Rainier (BAR) living units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff members, Stella Spracklin and Zak Kinneman, made an unannounced morning visit to CRCC to address issues brought to the OCO's attention. Specific issues addressed concerned the kitchen dishwashing area and evening light use in one living unit. The OCO staff also met with individual residents during the visit. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Angee Schrader, and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO staff member, Angee Schrader, attended a meeting and tour with Senate Members of the Human Services Committee and DOC staff in the morning. In the afternoon, Stella Spracklin and Zak Kinneman joined her for an OCO-only meeting with tier representatives from the Victor and Williams living units. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO attended the scheduled AHCC Main Tier Rep monthly meeting with staff and representatives from the various living units. We also met with a patient in the IPU (infirmary). OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Zak Kinneman, Stella Spracklin, and David Skattebo OCO Action: OCO staff traveled to SCCC to walk through the living units and speak with a few individuals that have open complaints with our office. The OCO visited the dayrooms in H1, H3, H5, and H6 then did cell fronts in the IMU. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff visited the Monroe Correctional Complex meeting with facility leadership and unit management and individuals currently housed in the IMU & SOU. The OCO staff did cell front visits in thes units and visited with people in the outdoor recreational areas and the unit day rooms. OCO Staff: All Staff OCO Action: OCO staff met with WSP leadership, incarcerated individuals, and visited IMU North and IMU South. In the afternoon, the OCO staff met with representatives of Victor and Williams and presented our 2nd Quarter Stakeholder Updates. OCO Staff: All Staff OCO Action: OCO staff met with WSP leadership, incarcerated individuals, and visited the East Complex (Units: 6 & 8), the West Complex (Units: Delta, Echo, and Fox), the South Complex (the BAR units), and the Sustainable Practices Lab.
OCO Staff: Chase Rapach, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff attended the WCCW Pride Celebration. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO visited Tier Representatives in the Victor Medium Security Unit to discuss the upcoming OCO Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting at WSP. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO visited Tier Representatives in the Williams Medium Security Unit to discuss the upcoming OCO Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting at WSP. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff visited with people living in Cascade and Olympic living units and met with the Superintendent. OCO Staff: Sara Appleton & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff observed the Resource Group working with incarcerated individuals in the IMU, spoke directly with the incarcerated individuals, and discussed the facility's progress with the Washington Way (the Amend initiative). OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: In response to multiple critical incidents that occurred in the units the previous weekend, the OCO Director met with incarcerated individuals and staff in the BAR units. She also met with the Superintendent to discuss the facility's response to the incidents. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson & Angee Schrader OCO Action: OCO staff met with members of WCC Leadership and toured the updated areas in the reception center, including the mobile medical unit (tent). OCO staff met with leaders of the Streamlining Reception Services Project, and discussed the current status of the reception redesign, including the immediate goal to eliminate floor sleepers. The OCO's recommendations in the Unexpected Fatality Review Committee Report for UFR-22-032, include changing the male reception facility standard housing model which allowed for three incarcerated individuals to be housed in each room, two in bunks and one on the floor. The OCO considers the option of housing someone on the floor unacceptable and suggested that the DOC eliminate this option in its standard housing model. The OCO Director will continue to monitor the reception redesign project's process. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO visited WCCCW in an unannounced visit, meeting with incarcerated individuals in the MSU where HVAC repairs and modifications are being made during hot weather. The work is nearly completed, and during the visit to the day rooms, the OCO observed DOC staff taking temperature readings between 72 and 74 degrees in the respective tiers. The OCO also met with the incarcerated members of the kitchen staff shortly after the AM meal services as well as those individuals working in the grounds maintenance. The OCO also met with the Director of the Dog Program. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO Director Caitlin Robertson and staff member Zak Kinneman visited CRCC to attend graduation ceremonies for individuals who have successfully completed programs offered through Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). Of special note, this was the first in the facility graduation ceremony at CRCC since the COVID Pandemic began, and the first ever award of Bachelor of Applied Science degrees by WWCC to students from CRCC. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO Director Caitlin Robertson and staff member Zak Kinneman met with Tier Reps from the Victor and Williams units. Residents and OCO staff attended an hour-long outdoor concert for the incarcerated later that night. 
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman attended a Global Tier Rep Meeting and met with individuals and staff at the facility in Connell, WA. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited and met with incarcerated individuals and staff and attended an Asian and Pacific Islander (API) cultural event for incarcerated individuals and their families. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman made an unannounced visit to the Twin Rivers facility to observe conditions in the living units during the record setting heat wave. The OCO spoke with residents in A, B, C, and D units noting concerns with the adequacy of the facility's response to the intense heat. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited CBCC meeting with incarcerated individuals, the Superintendent, and other staff members. During a tour of the kitchen, the OCO was able to observe a commercial baking class for kitchen workers being taught by a volunteer who provides baking services for a Pt. Angeles restaurant. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member Zak Kinneman visited OCC and had the opportunity to meet with the incarcerated individuals and some of their family members taking part in a Mother's Day event sponsored by the facility. OCO Staff: E.V. Webb, Jessica Means, and Kristine Dibble OCO Action: OCO staff met with a patient in the infirmary and conducted a walkthrough of the SOU Close Observation Area (COA). The OCO also held a meeting with the MCC-TRU tier and medical reps as requested by incarcerated stakeholders at the April 26th OCO Quarterly Meeting. DOC Health Services Leadership agreed to follow up with another medical rep meeting to discuss further medical concerns of incarcerated individuals. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: While visiting incarcerated individuals in the Cascade living unit, OCO staff member Zak Kinneman observed facility staff revive an individual who had collapsed as the result of a suspected drug overdose. The individual was promptly transported to an area hospital for treatment. It was later learned that the individual was released from the hospital and returned to the facility the following day. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: During the Quarterly Meeting on April 26th, a loved one of an incarcerated individual at LCC expressed concerns about summer heat and what steps would be taken by DOC to keep the population at LCC cool and safe during periods of extreme heat. OCO staff member Zak Kinneman traveled to LCC on May 1st to speak with staff about the LCC heat mitigation plan.
OCO Staff: Heather Bates, Tianna Carin-Wardlaw, Kristine Dibble, Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman and Rebecca Glosser OCO Action: In preparation for the 2nd Quarterly Stakeholder's meeting, OCO staff toured TRU and visited with individuals in Unit A. OCO Staff: David Skattebo and E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO Staff: Kristine Dibble and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff went through the new body scanner at the public entrance, observed the dry cells, and visited the incarcerated individuals in the living units. OCO Staff: Tianna Cain-Wardlaw, Zachary Kinneman, and Stella Spracklin OCO Action: The OCO staff visited with incarcerated individuals in the living units, interacted with the dog program, and toured the facility. Highlights of the tour were the law library, the chapel, and the property room. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: In direct response to concerns raised by incarcerated individuals about conditions in the kitchen, the OCO toured the facility kitchens and observed operations. OCO staff met with workers during the walk-through without DOC staff present, then met separately with DOC staff. The OCO staff observed a clean and orderly kitchen with no obvious signs of mold, as reported. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff member attended an in-person meeting of the Local Family Council. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC staff and with residents of the Therapeutic Community in Gold Unit. OCO staff provided information about the OCO and the DOC's resolution program on-site to the residents. The OCO confirmed with the residents that facility issues with heating/cooling were resolved. Before leaving, the OCO staff visited with the facility's new miniature horses in their stalls.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the monthly Tier Representative Meeting, met with incarcerated individuals in the living units, and met with DOC staff. OCO Staff: Elisabeth Kingsbury, Zachary Kinneman, and Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: OCO staff completed informal wellness checks with incarcerated individuals living in the SOU units, including the COA (close observation areas). OCO staff met with DOC staff and toured WSRU including the infirmary and visited with facility leadership at TRU and SOU. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff attended the monthly Tier Representative Meeting for MSU (the camp), met with incarcerated individuals in the living units, and met with DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC staff and incarcerated individuals in the living units. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson, PhD OCO Action: The OCO Director made an unannounced visit to ascertain the current conditions of specific residential level of care cells and to check on the welfare of a particular patient. After visiting the treatment unit with the Captain, she met with the Superintendent and Associate Superintendent. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with staff and incarcerated individuals in the living units. OCO Staff visited with incarcerated individuals in various day rooms, provided self-advocacy information, and answered questions about the scope and limitations of the OCO work. OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with two incarcerated individuals with open complaints with the OCO. In addition to providing self-advocacy information to the incarcerated, OCO staff served as a witness to a planned medical transport for one of the patients.
OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman, Caitlin Robertson, & Angee Schrader OCO Action: On a Saturday, the OCO met with DOC staff working in the Close Observation Area (COA) and discussed unit processes and procedures. Information gathered will be used by the OCO during an unexpected fatality review committee meeting. The OCO also visited with specific individuals in the IMU as part of our ongoing case investigation work. OCO Staff: Angee Schrader & Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO met with the leadership team at AHCC and attended the Tier Rep Meetings in Main and the MSU. The OCO toured C4 and N Units and addressed concerns and immediate issues onsite with DOC staff. Additionally, while at AHCC, the OCO learned that the facility was out of carbon copy resolution forms and was using a copied version. After the OCO's visit, the facility placed an order of 2,000 carbon copy resolution forms. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO met with the new Associate Superintendent and toured the minimum-security camp. During the tour, the OCO met with individuals in several living units and addressed concerns and immediate issues onsite with DOC staff. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO visited with specific individuals in Baker, Adams, and Rainier Units (BAR Units) and later met with members of the WSP leadership team. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director met with the leadership team at MCC-TRU/WSR/MSU to tour the Twin Rivers Unit and the Minimum Security Unit to identify areas of needed improvement for the health and safety of the people living and working in the units. The 4th purpose of the OCO is to identify system issues and responses for the governor and the legislature to act upon. This OCO visit is part of our ongoing work to help advocate for improved living conditions and updated physical buildings in which people in our state's prisons live and work. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director toured the Nisqually Corrections Center, a contracted facility in which people under the jurisdiction of the DOC (often called "violators") may be housed. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO staff met with DOC staff, toured the camp's kitchen facility, and viewed renovations underway in the Olympic Living Unit. After receiving multiple complaints about a rodent infestation in the kitchen, OCO staff found the kitchen and food storage areas clean, organized, and sanitary. Facility staff provided details about ongoing pest management practices and proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
OCO Staff: Angee Schrader, Caitlin Robertson, Heather Bates, and Zak Kinneman OCO Action: On a Saturday, OCO staff members conducted cell front meetings with incarcerated individuals in the Intensive Management Unit and with residents of the G Unit in the dayrooms. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: The OCO did an unannounced visit and conducted cell front visits and opened new cases with individuals in the IMU. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman OCO Action: OCO Staff: The Whole Team! OCO Action: The entire OCO staff traveled to Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Washington, to conduct our first quarterly meeting for stakeholders in a DOC facility for men. Attending the meeting were Tier Representatives from the residential units Cedar and Evergreen, leaders of cultural and community groups at WCC, members of the WCC executive leadership team, a member of the Reentry Division leadership team, and representatives from the DOC Engagement & Outreach Team. OCO staff reviewed the 4th Quarter 2022 results via a PowerPoint presentation that will be available later on the OCO website. Presenters discussed case resolutions and outcomes; reviewed case intake issues by facility; hotline utilization; and provided insight for the stakeholders into the OCO case intake, investigation, and resolution process. Stakeholders directly asked OCO staff, WCC leadership, and HQ staff questions and received answers following. OCO Staff: Caitlin Robertson OCO Action: The OCO Director met with WCC staff and people living at WCC to discuss preparations for the following day's public quarterly meeting. After prep meeting, met with the IMU CUS to discuss an unexpected fatality that occurred the day before in that unit.
June - December 2022 = 49 completed monitoring visits
*prior to June 2022, the OCO completed facility visits but did not publish a summary.
OCO Staff: Sara Appleton & Stella Spracklin OCO Action: OCO Staff: Chase Rapach & E.V. Webb OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals as part of an ongoing series of visits in preparation for our January Public Meeting. On this visit, OCO staff met at cell fronts in every pod of the IMU. Every individual who desired to speak with OCO staff had the opportunity to voice their concerns and those who needed it were provided with review request forms and/or self-advocacy information. Population concerns brought to our attention include: the issuing of property in the IMU, recreation time in the lower R's, Out of State transfer timelines, and the Securus tablet program. OCO staff checked the phones in the gym for access to the OCO Hotline. Individual concerns received were entered into our case management system and assigned to an OCO staff member to review for next steps. OCO staff also mediated a conversation between a DOC Health Services Manager and an incarcerated patient regarding health services and housing concerns. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Chase Rapach OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals as part of an ongoing series of visits in preparation for our January Public Meeting. On this visit, the OCO staff met with residents in the Cedar living unit. We provided an open forum for questions, complaints, and requests for assistance in all the dayrooms of the living unit. The concerns brought to the OCO attention were mainly about issues with the newly installed phone system, classification concerns, a lack of recreational access, limited programming opportunities, and language translation issues. All concerns were entered into our case management system and assigned to an OCO staff member to review for next steps. OCO Staff: Zak Kinneman & Chase Rapach OCO Action: OCO staff met with incarcerated individuals as part of an ongoing series of visits in preparation for our January Public Meeting. Today's meeting was held in the dayrooms of Evergreen and we met exclusively with the incarcerated people. Topics of concern were post COVID visiting issues, custody and classification issues, and individual health care needs. All concerns were entered into our case management system and assigned to an OCO staff member to review for next steps.
Staff: Zak Kinneman & Caitlin Robertson
OCO in Action: OCO staff met with cultural/community group leaders and tier representatives to listen and speak directly with incarcerated people and to prepare for our January Public Meeting. After the group meeting, OCO staff visited the Intensive Management Unit (restrictive housing).
Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO in Action: OCO staff went to MCCCW to investigate complaints about a lack of heat in one of the living units. The OCO staff toured the living unit, spoke with many residents, spoke with the plant manager and staff, and saw the temporary heating equipment brought in by the DOC being used in the facility. We verified that the interior temperatures are being monitored and logged daily and that MCCCW residents are receiving extra clothing and blankets if needed.
Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO in Action: OCO staff followed-up in person on specific complaints for people living in Twin Rivers Unit.
Staff: Zak Kinneman
OCO in Action: OCO staff followed-up in person on specific complaints and general concerns related to the wildfire evacuation.
Staff: Caitlin Robertson
OCO in Action: OCO staff toured the health services building, met with WCC Health Services Leadership, and spoke with many patients in the waiting areas.
Staff: Caitlin Robertson
OCO in Action: OCO staff observed the day-one DOC receiving process (people coming in from county jails; being processed through initial intake: physical and mental health and PREA; and receiving shoes, clothing, and minimum hygiene supplies). OCO staff also had conversations with many people housed in R4 and observed unit operations.
Staff: Zak Kinneman and Chase Rapach
OCO in Action: OCO staff met cell-front with most people housed in IMU. Conversations were mostly about duration of time in segregation/isolation (many with 100+ days) and the AMEND project. We also spoke about health concerns and COVID quarantine/isolation. OCO staff did some intake of complaints and provided self-advocacy on-site.
Staff: Chase Rapach
OCO in Action: On-site investigative casework, including explanation of how we do our casework..
Staff: EV Webb, Chase Rapach, Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: The first of two-facility wide planned visits with Health Care team
Outcome: Team conducted interviews in required full PPE with individuals in quarantined G unit.
Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: Checked in with individuals evacuated from Larch Corrections Center and transferred to Washington Corrections Center IMU.
Outcome: Cell front visits with individuals in IMU. Concerns about placement in R units at WCC, personal property accessibility and obtaining medications left behind at LCC.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: Interview individuals evacuated from Larch Correctional Center to Cedar Creek as result of Nakia Creek Fire in Clark County. Contact CCCC /Larch staff about evacuation issues.
Outcome: Incarcerated individuals shared concerns about EFV’s scheduled at Larch for coming weeks, potential losses of personal property and needs for clothing.
OCO Staff: Carolina Landa
Purpose: OCO visited the facility to participate in an informal mediation with an incarcerated person and the CPM.
Outcome: Incarcerated person was able to negotiate wanted outcome for themselves.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: Tour facility and meet with staff and individuals in the Reentry Center
Outcome: Facility is undergoing an extensive renovation project to exterior walls and systems. Two resident wings are closeud during the construction project limited the total number of residents.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman, Carolina Landa, and Caitlin Robertson
Purpose: Tour MCCCW and meet with incarcerated individuals.
Outcome: OCO Director and two staff members met with individuals in all units about ongoing concerns and current OCO cases. The OCO staff met with Supt. Miller and discussed facility trends and specific problems that DOC could immediately address.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: OCO visited the facility in response to numerous concerns raised by incarcerated individuals about Covid restrictions and practices via the OCO Hotline.
Outcome: Met with incarcerated individuals at WCC in their living units and provided information and assistance where appropriate.
OCO Staff: Zachary Kinneman
Purpose: OCO visit was part of a DOC sponsored series of visits to facilities with members of the state legislature and their staff.
Outcome: Toured facilities, met with incarcerated individuals in their workplaces, and attended presentation by Assistant Secretary for the Women's Prison Divsion, Jeannie Darneille, regarding the capital needs of the facility.
September 12 Facility Visits
WCCW: September 30th
MCC-MSU: September 28th
WCCW: September 25th
WSP: September 22nd
CBCC: September 21st
CRCC: September 21st
OCC: September 21st
CCCC: September 15th
WCCW: September 13th
MCC-MSU & MCC-TRU: September 7th
WCCW: September 7th
WCCW: September 1st
AUGUST: 7 Facility Visits
SCCC: August 31st
SCCC: August 30th
Brownstone: August 24th
AHCC: August 23rd
McNeil Island: August 9th
SCCC: August 4th
WSP: August 4th
JULY: 2 Facility Visits
MCC-TRU: July 19th
SCCC: July 12th
JUNE: 8 Facility Visits
WCC: June 21st
MCC-SOU: June 15th
WSP: June 10th
CBCC: June 9th
CRCC: June 9th
AHCC: June 8th
OCC: June 8th
MCC-SOU: June 3rd
