QUICK FACTS BAR
State DOC: Washington State Department of Corrections (WDOC)
Community Custody Board: Washington Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) for some sentences; most releases go to DOC-administered Community Custody
Medicaid expansion: YES (full expansion - 2014, Apple Health)
Voting rights: Restored upon release from prison - people on community custody CAN vote (since 2009)
SNAP drug felony ban: Full opt-out - no ban regardless of conviction
Expungement: Available - vacation of conviction under RCW 9.96.060; expanded eligibility in recent years; automatic vacation for some marijuana offenses; moderate framework
Ban the box: Public AND private employers - Washington's statewide law (FCHA) covers most employers; also bail-banned state (no cash bail)
INTRO
Washington restored voting rights to people on community custody in 2009 - the moment you leave a Washington state prison, your right to vote is restored regardless of supervision status. The state abolished cash bail under its 2023 pretrial reform legislation, meaning the bail bondsman industry that creates so much financial pressure on families during arrest does not operate in Washington. Phone calls from Washington state correctional facilities are free under the state's 2023 Communications Access in Jails Act. Apple Health - Washington's Medicaid program - provides immediate coverage for most returning citizens. Washington also has a strong statewide ban-the-box law covering most private employers. The practical reentry challenges in Washington are geographic: the Seattle metro (King County) has robust infrastructure, Spokane and Tacoma have meaningful but smaller networks, and rural eastern Washington, the Olympic Peninsula, and rural areas generally have limited services and significant transportation barriers.
FIRST 30 DAYS CHECKLIST
Day 1-3:
Report to your WDOC Community Corrections Officer (CCO) as directed. Washington's community custody is supervised by Community Corrections Officers through the Department of Corrections. Report on the scheduled date and time.
Day 1-3:
Register to vote immediately. Washington restored voting rights to people on community custody in 2009. Your rights are restored the moment you leave prison. Register at vote.wa.gov. Washington has automatic voter registration through state agency transactions - you may already be registered if you have had recent DMV or other state agency contact.
Day 1-7:
Confirm Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollment. WDOC has a pre-release Apple Health enrollment program. Confirm with your case manager whether enrollment has been initiated before your release date. If not, apply immediately at wahbexchange.org or your local DSHS Community Services Office. Coverage is typically immediate for eligible individuals.
Day 1-14:
Apply for SNAP benefits. Washington has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban - everyone meeting income and residency requirements qualifies. Apply at wahbexchange.org or your local DSHS office.
Day 1-30:
Obtain Washington state ID or driver's license. Washington DOL (Department of Licensing): dol.wa.gov. WDOC provides a Washington state ID to qualifying individuals at release. Bring: birth certificate or WDOC ID, Social Security card, and proof of Washington residency.
ID RESTORATION
Birth certificate:
Washington State Department of Health Vital Records - doh.wa.gov/vital-records. Cost: $25 per copy. WDOC assists with pre-release birth certificate requests - confirm with case manager before release.
Social Security card:
SSA.gov/ssnumber. Free. Locate nearest office at ssa.gov/locator.
State ID / Driver's License:
Washington DOL - dol.wa.gov. WDOC provides state IDs at release for qualifying individuals. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and Washington residency. Cost: $58 for enhanced ID (Real ID compliant); $20 for standard ID.
Outstanding license issues: Washington suspends driver's licenses for unpaid fines, DUI convictions, and other reasons. Check your license status at dol.wa.gov before going in. Washington has a license reinstatement process including payment plans for financial hardship cases.
ID Assistance Programs:
Columbia Legal Services (columbialegal.org) provides statewide legal assistance including ID navigation. TeamChild (teamchild.org) for youth. Northwest Justice Project (nwjustice.org) - statewide legal aid.
VOTING RIGHTS
Washington restored voting rights to people on community custody (Washington's term for post-release supervision) in 2009. The moment you are released from a Washington state prison, your voting rights are restored.
People currently incarcerated in a Washington state prison cannot vote.
People on probation can vote. People on community custody can vote.
Register at vote.wa.gov. Washington has automatic voter registration - if you have had a recent Washington DOL transaction or other qualifying state agency contact, you may already be registered. Confirm your registration status at myvote.wa.gov.
Washington conducts all elections by mail - every registered voter receives a ballot by mail. No in-person polling place required.
BENEFITS ACCESS
APPLE HEALTH (MEDICAID):
Washington fully expanded Medicaid in 2014. Apple Health covers most low-income adults at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. WDOC has a pre-release Apple Health enrollment program - confirm with your case manager whether enrollment has been initiated. If not, apply at wahbexchange.org or your local Community Services Office. Coverage for physical health, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and dental is included.
SNAP (Basic Food in Washington):
Washington has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban on SNAP. Everyone meeting income and Washington residency requirements qualifies. Apply at wahbexchange.org or your local DSHS office. Washington calls SNAP "Basic Food."
TANF (WorkFirst in Washington):
Washington has fully opted out of the TANF drug felony ban. Eligible families are not excluded based on drug felony history.
Housing:
Washington is a bail-banned state - cash bail does not exist, which is a different issue from reentry housing but reflects the overall philosophy of the state's criminal justice reform orientation. Reentry housing is through federal RRCs (for federal inmates under RRM Seattle), WDOC Reentry Centers, and nonprofit providers. King County (Seattle) has the most developed network. Pierce County (Tacoma), Spokane County, and Snohomish County have significant but smaller networks. Rural eastern Washington, the Olympic Peninsula, and smaller counties are significantly underserved.
Washington Reentry Centers: WDOC operates 9 state Reentry Centers (see halfway houses directory). These are state facilities providing transitional housing and programming in the final phase of a sentence.
EXPUNGEMENT AND RECORD RELIEF
Washington Vacation of Conviction (RCW 9.96.060):
Washington uses "vacation of conviction" rather than expungement. A vacated conviction is set aside by the court and the person can state they have not been convicted of that offense in most circumstances.
Eligibility (expanded by SB 5228 in 2021 and subsequent legislation):
- Class B felonies: eligible for vacation 10 years after completing sentence (with no new offenses) - excludes sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses where the victim was a minor
- Class C felonies: eligible for vacation 5 years after completing sentence - similar exclusions
- Most misdemeanors: eligible for vacation 3-5 years after completing sentence depending on category
- Prior convictions do not automatically bar vacation but are a factor the court considers
Automatic vacation for marijuana: Washington law provides for automatic vacation of marijuana possession convictions for offenses that were decriminalized under Initiative 502 (2012). Contact the county clerk where the conviction occurred to confirm status.
What vacation does and does not do: A vacated conviction is not visible on most public background checks and the person can legally state they have not been convicted for most purposes. Law enforcement, courts, licensing boards, and some federal agencies retain access. It does not restore firearm rights for most felony vacations.
Certificates of Discharge:
Washington issues Certificates of Discharge once a person completes their full sentence. This document confirms sentence completion and can be useful for employment and licensing applications as evidence of good standing.
Legal resources:
- Northwest Justice Project: nwjustice.org / 1-888-201-1014 - statewide free legal services
- Columbia Legal Services: columbialegal.org / (206) 464-5933 - statewide with rural focus
- Eastside Legal Assistance Program: elapwa.org - King/Snohomish Counties
- Washington Law Help: washingtonlawhelp.org - free self-help legal tools
EMPLOYMENT AND LICENSING
Fair Chance Housing and Employment Act (FCHA) - statewide:
Washington enacted the Fair Chance Housing Act for housing and the Fair Chance Employment Act (amended 2021) for employment. The Fair Chance Employment Act prohibits employers with 8 or more employees from asking about criminal history until after a job offer has been made. Employers must make an individualized assessment if they want to rescind an offer based on criminal history and must provide the applicant written notice and an opportunity to respond. This applies to most private employers statewide.
Seattle has additional local protections through the Fair Chance Employment Ordinance that go further than state law.
Occupational licensing:
Washington enacted licensing reform in recent years. RCW 18.235.130 requires licensing boards to consider rehabilitation evidence and may not automatically deny based on conviction history. Boards must provide written reasons for any denial based on criminal history. People can request a preliminary determination.
Note: Washington is a bail-banned state - there are no bail bondsman licensing issues as this industry does not operate in the state.
Employment assistance:
- WorkSource Washington: worksourcewa.com - statewide workforce development with local WorkSource centers in every region providing reentry-specific employment services
- Pioneer Human Services: pioneerhumanservices.org / (206) 838-3000 / Seattle - employment, housing, substance abuse treatment for returning citizens; one of Washington's most established reentry organizations
- WDOC Employment Resources: wdoc.wa.gov/programs/reentry
KEY WASHINGTON STATE REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS
Pioneer Human Services
pioneerhumanservices.org / (206) 838-3000 / Seattle (statewide reach)
One of Washington's oldest and largest reentry organizations. Employment, housing, substance abuse treatment, food services, and case management. Operates social enterprises employing returning citizens. Strong presence in King County with statewide reach.
Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region
goodwillwa.org / (253) 573-6700 / Tacoma
Employment training and job placement in Pierce, Mason, Thurston, and surrounding counties. Reentry employment focus.
Compass Housing Alliance
compasshousingalliance.org / (206) 474-1000 / Seattle
Transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and reentry housing services in King County.
Northwest Justice Project
nwjustice.org / 1-888-201-1014 / Multiple offices statewide
Free civil legal services statewide including vacation of conviction, housing, and reentry legal issues. One of the most important legal aid organizations in Washington.
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
ccsww.org / (206) 323-6336 / Seattle
Transitional housing, reentry case management, and social services across western Washington. Operates multiple reentry housing programs.
Spokane Reentry Coalition
spokanereentry.com / Spokane
Coordination of reentry services in Spokane County. Connects returning citizens to eastern Washington resources.
WDOC Reentry Division
doc.wa.gov/about-doc/programs-services/reentry
Official WDOC reentry coordination. Operates state Reentry Centers and pre-release programming.
STATE DOC REENTRY PROGRAMS
WDOC Reentry Centers:
WDOC operates 9 state Reentry Centers where eligible individuals spend the final phase of their sentence before full release. Reentry Centers provide housing, employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, and community resource connections. Locations: Bellingham, Brownstone (Spokane), Helen B. Ratcliff (Seattle), Longview, Olympia, Reynolds (Seattle), Tacoma, Wenatchee Valley, and Eleanor Chase House (Spokane). See the halfway houses directory for full addresses and details.
Education and Vocational Programs:
WDOC provides vocational training, GED preparation, and college programming through partnerships with community colleges including Clover Park Technical College, Bellingham Technical College, and others. Completion of vocational programs earns industry-recognized credentials.
Substance Abuse Treatment:
WDOC operates the Residential Chemical Dependency Treatment (RCDT) program inside institutions and coordinates with community treatment providers during Community Custody.
HALFWAY HOUSES LINK BLOCK
Find halfway houses and reentry housing in Washington State ->
inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/washington/
Washington has federal Residential Reentry Centers under BOP Residential Reentry Management Seattle (covers WA, OR, ID, AK). Washington is a bail-banned state - no commercial bail bonds operate. WDOC operates 9 state Reentry Centers statewide. Federal RRCs and WDOC Reentry Centers are concentrated in the Seattle/King County, Tacoma/Pierce County, and Spokane areas.
Note: Washington is a bail-banned state. The bail bondsman block does not appear on Washington facility pages.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I vote in Washington State if I'm on community custody (supervision) after prison?
A: Yes. Washington restored voting rights to people on community custody in 2009. You can vote the day you leave prison. Register at vote.wa.gov - you may already be automatically registered. Washington conducts all elections by mail - your ballot will be mailed to your registered address.
Q: How do I apply for Apple Health (Medicaid) in Washington after prison?
A: Apply at wahbexchange.org or your local DSHS Community Services Office. WDOC has a pre-release enrollment program - confirm with your case manager before release. Apple Health covers most low-income returning citizens immediately and includes behavioral health and substance abuse treatment.
Q: Can my Washington State conviction be vacated?
A: Possibly. Washington's vacation of conviction process (RCW 9.96.060) is available for most Class B and Class C felonies and many misdemeanors after waiting periods of 5-10 years from completion of sentence, with no new offenses. Marijuana convictions may have been automatically vacated. Contact Northwest Justice Project at nwjustice.org or 1-888-201-1014 for a free evaluation.
Q: Does Washington ban the box for private employers?
A: Yes. Washington's Fair Chance Employment Act prohibits employers with 8 or more employees from asking about criminal history until after a job offer is made. Seattle's local ordinance goes further. Contact WorkSource Washington (worksourcewa.com) for employers who actively hire people with records.
Q: What are WDOC Reentry Centers and how do I get placed there?
A: WDOC Reentry Centers are state-operated transitional facilities where eligible individuals spend the final phase of their sentence before full release. There are 9 locations across the state. Placement is managed by WDOC case managers - express your interest in Reentry Center placement to your case manager at least 6-12 months before your expected release. TruthFinder WIDGET Search Washington State inmate and arrest records INTERNAL LINKS - inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/washington/ - inmateaid.com/reentry/ - inmateaid.com/reentry/myths-and-facts/ EXTERNAL LINKS (new tab) - doc.wa.gov - wahbexchange.org - vote.wa.gov - dol.wa.gov - nwjustice.org - worksourcewa.com - findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov SCHEMA BreadcrumbList + FAQPage DATA SOURCES Voting rights: RCW 29A.08.520 (2009 restoration) / vote.wa.gov Medicaid: kff.org expansion tracker / Apple Health SNAP: ccresourcecenter.org full opt-out confirmed Expungement/Vacation: RCW 9.96.060; SB 5228 (2021) / washingtonlawhelp.org Ban the box: Fair Chance Employment Act (RCW 49.94) / L&I; Seattle local ordinance Licensing: RCW 18.235.130 / licensing boards Bail abolition: Washington pretrial reform / bail_banned = true Phone calls: Washington Communications Access in Jails Act (2023) Organizations: verified from individual organization websites WDOC Reentry Centers: doc.wa.gov/about-doc/locations/reentry-centers BOP RRM: RRM Seattle covers WA, OR, ID, AK