New guidelines on prisoner release unveiled

OLYMPIA – The state Department of Corrections on Monday announced new interim prisoner release guidelines, meeting a deadline by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The guidelines, which were being distributed to the agency’s staff on Monday, are meant to give parole officers a clearer idea on when a released felon who violates the terms of his or her release should be sent back to prison. Right now, it’s up to the officers’ discretion.

Gregoire ordered the new rules last week, saying “public safety demands immediate action.”

In a letter to the governor, Corrections Secretary Harold Clarke said he will meet soon with his senior staff to “ensure they understand our expectations and implementation measures.”

The interim guidelines include increased home visits and random urine testing for released prisoners, and more certain punishments to violators.

Corrections spokesman Gary Larson said the guidelines would be finished by June 15.

Gregoire’s spokeswoman, Holly Armstrong, said the governor had seen the letter and, so far, was happy with the department’s efforts.

Earlier this month, the department released reports that were commissioned by Gregoire after three released convicts were implicated in the deaths of three Seattle-area law enforcement officers in recent months.