Washington State Prisons
17 facilities- Everett Community Justice Center
- Seattle Community Justice Center
- Tacoma Community Justice Center
- Vancouver Community Justice Center/Vancouver West
- WA DOC - Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)
Federal Facilities in Washington
1 facilityWashington County Jails
36 facilities- Adams County WA Jail
- Asotin County Jail
- Benton County WA Jail
- Clallam County WA Corrections Facility
- Clark County WA Corrections
ICE Detention Centers
1 facilityWashington Department of Corrections
Washington DOC offender search allows searches by DOC number or name. Washington has been a leader in criminal justice reform and has invested significantly in reentry programming. The state has also been subject to a consent decree related to conditions in solitary confinement.
The official inmate search is available at www.doc.wa.gov/information/offendersearch. FDC SeaTac (federal detention) and FCI Sheridan (OR) serve Washington federal inmates. Many Washington inmates end up at Sheridan.
Visitation in Washington Facilities
Washington DOC visitor approval requires a visitor registration. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks. Background checks for adult visitors. Washington has expanded family contact programming and video visitation.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Washington prison directory.
Sending Mail to Washington Inmates
Washington DOC mail requires the DOC number. Washington has transitioned most facilities to a digital mail system - physical mail is scanned and delivered electronically. The physical letter does not reach the inmate at most Washington state facilities.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Washington facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from Washington Facilities
Washington is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. GTL/ViaPath holds the Washington DOC contract.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Washington prison directory.
Sending Money to Washington Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Washington:
- JPay (primary for Washington DOC)
- Money orders - check current policy given digital mail
- Lobby kiosks
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in Washington
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Washington:
- Washington DOC Reentry - Official reentry programs
- Columbia Legal Services - Free civil legal help statewide - strong prison practice
- Teamchild - Legal advocacy for youth and families impacted by incarceration
- Pioneer Human Services - Seattle-based comprehensive reentry services
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Prisons
Does Washington scan prison mail?
Yes - Washington DOC has implemented a near-universal digital mail system across state facilities. Physical mail sent to most Washington state prisons is intercepted at a central processing location, opened, scanned, and delivered electronically to inmate tablets. Your original letter does not reach the inmate as a physical document. Handwritten letters, children's drawings, and physical cards all arrive as screen images rather than tangible objects. For the most direct and reliable delivery, submit mail digitally through JPay's platform. Check the current mail policy for your specific facility at doc.wa.gov before sending anything of physical significance.
What is the DOC number in Washington State?
Every Washington DOC inmate is assigned a unique DOC number when they enter state custody. It must appear on all mail sent to WDOC facilities and is required for the Washington DOC offender search at doc.wa.gov. County jail detainees have their own booking numbers that are separate from DOC numbers. If your person was recently transferred from county to state custody, allow 24 - 48 hours for the system to update. Once assigned, the DOC number is permanent for the sentence regardless of facility transfers.
What is Washington State Penitentiary?
Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla is the oldest state prison in Washington, opened in 1886, and the only maximum-security state facility in the system. Walla Walla is in the southeastern corner of the state - about 270 miles east of Seattle via I-82 and US-12, roughly a 4 - 4.5 hour drive. The Walla Walla Valley is Washington's wine country - a dramatic contrast to the facility's nature. The remote location makes visiting difficult and expensive for Seattle-area families. Video visitation through WDOC's tablet program is strongly recommended as an alternative or supplement for families who cannot make the trip regularly.
Does Washington have free prison phone calls?
No - Washington has not eliminated phone call fees. GTL/ViaPath holds the Washington DOC contract. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps apply to interstate calls from Washington state facilities, reducing costs from historical highs, but calls are not free. Washington's legislature has considered phone fee elimination bills in recent sessions with bipartisan support but has not passed legislation as of 2026. Set up a GTL ConnectNetwork account for state facility calls. Washington's 39 county jails each contract separately for phone services.
What is the Monroe Correctional Complex?
Monroe Correctional Complex is a large multi-facility complex in Monroe, Snohomish County, about 35 miles northeast of Seattle - one of the more accessible major facilities for families in the Seattle metropolitan area. The complex contains multiple distinct units at different security levels. Monroe has a notably active inmate education program and the Monroe Correctional Complex Inmates Partnership Association (IPA), which organizes community events and fundraisers. Contact Monroe at 360-794-2550 for visitor information.
What is the solitary confinement consent decree in Washington?
Washington state has been subject to an ongoing legal agreement governing the use of solitary confinement in WDOC facilities, related to the case of Disability Rights Washington v. Corrections. The agreement places limits on isolation duration, requires improved mental health screening before placement, and mandates programming requirements for those in restrictive housing. WDOC has been under federal oversight related to these requirements for multiple years, reflecting broader national medical consensus that prolonged isolation causes serious mental health harm. If your family member has been placed in solitary or restrictive housing, ask their attorney about the current consent decree requirements.