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ARTICLE BODY
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Parole and Probation in Washington State
If someone you love is on parole or community custody in Washington, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. Washington abolished discretionary parole in 1984 when the Sentencing Reform Act took effect. For almost everyone in Washington state prisons today, what follows release is called community custody, not parole - and it is supervised by the Department of Corrections, not granted by a parole board. The Indeterminate Sentence Review Board still exists and still handles three specific categories of cases. Understanding which system applies to your person is the starting point.
The 1984 dividing line: parole vs. community custody
Washington has two entirely different release systems depending on when the crime occurred.
For crimes committed before July 1, 1984, traditional indeterminate sentencing applied. The Indeterminate Sentence Review Board reviews these cases, sets minimum terms, and decides when a person can be released before the maximum term expires. This is traditional parole - a board votes on release.
For crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984, the Sentencing Reform Act governs. These cases use determinate sentencing - a fixed sentence length set by the court using structured guidelines. After the prison term, release to community custody is part of the sentence, not a discretionary grant. There is no board vote for most people in this category.
The Indeterminate Sentence Review Board
The Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, called the ISRB, is a five-member quasi-judicial board within the Department of Corrections. It retains independent decision-making authority over three categories of cases.
Pre-July 1, 1984 cases (PRE): People who committed crimes before that date and were sentenced to prison. Their sentences are indeterminate - the court set a maximum term and the ISRB sets a minimum. The Board holds a hearing before the parole eligibility date and decides whether to release the person before the maximum expires. If released, DOC then proposes a release plan; the ISRB reviews and approves or rejects it. If a parolee violates conditions, the ISRB can revoke parole or impose new conditions.
Sex offense cases committed on or after September 1, 2001 (CCB - Community Custody Board): Certain sex offenders sentenced under these provisions fall under ISRB jurisdiction regardless of the SRA. The ISRB sets their release conditions and oversees violation hearings.
Juvenile board cases (JUVBRD): People who committed crimes before their 18th birthday and were sentenced as adults.
The ISRB also provides services to victims of people under its jurisdiction. Victims may submit statements at any time under the Board's process.
Community custody: the modern supervision system
Community custody is the primary post-release supervision mechanism for almost everyone in Washington prisons today. It is not parole - it is a mandatory period of community-based supervision that is a component of the determinate sentence itself. The court orders it; DOC supervises it.
Community custody terms are offense-specific under RCW 9.94A.701 and related statutes, with different lengths for serious violent offenses, violent offenses, sex offenses, and other felonies.
DOC's Community Corrections division supervises all people on community custody through field officers statewide. Supervision conditions are set by the court and DOC, and may include regular reporting to a community corrections officer, remaining in Washington, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, approved housing and employment, and any treatment or programming ordered.
Effective January 1, 2026, under RCW 9.94A.633, a court may sanction a person who violates community custody conditions with up to 60 days of confinement for each violation finding. This is a change to how violation sanctions work under the structured violation system.
People on community custody can also earn supervision compliance credits under RCW 9.94A.717, which can reduce the remaining supervision period. This is an incentive mechanism built into Washington's modern community supervision framework.
Probation in Washington: court-controlled for misdemeanors
Washington uses "community custody" rather than probation for felony cases in superior court - it is a DOC-administered function, not a court-supervised probation arrangement in the traditional sense. Community custody is the felony equivalent.
For misdemeanor cases handled in district or municipal court, traditional probation still applies. Courts impose and supervise misdemeanor probation. A misdemeanor probation violation goes back to the sentencing court.
Washington's Clemency and Pardons Board
Separate from the ISRB, Washington has a Clemency and Pardons Board that makes recommendations to the Governor on clemency, commutation, and pardon matters. The Board operates independently of DOC and is active in 2026 with a policy manual revised in 2025. Pardons and clemency are distinct from parole or community custody release.
How to find someone in Washington
The Washington State Department of Corrections provides an online Incarcerated Search at doc.wa.gov, searchable by name or DOC number. The DOC number is the unique identifier assigned to each person sentenced to state prison. The search shows current facility, custody status, and release information for state prison inmates.
DOC headquarters: (360) 725-8213. DOC public information line: (866) 359-1939. Have full name and date of birth ready when calling.
For county jail inmates, Washington has 39 counties each with its own county detention center operated by the county sheriff. County jail inmates are not in the DOC state search. Many counties post public rosters online; contact the county sheriff directly for others.
Washington also participates in VINE for automated custody status notifications. Call the VINE toll-free line at (1-877-846-3492) or register through VINELink.
Voting rights in Washington
Washington restores voting rights upon release from incarceration. People on community custody, parole, and misdemeanor probation are eligible to vote - the voting rights restriction applies only during actual incarceration in prison or jail. If your person has been released to community supervision of any kind, they can register and vote in Washington.
Reporting and your community corrections officer
This section is for the person on supervision. On community custody, your officer works for DOC's Community Corrections division and is called a community corrections officer, or CCO. Know their name, their office, and your reporting schedule.
On ISRB parole (pre-1984 or sex offense cases), DOC community corrections officers also carry out the day-to-day supervision, but the ISRB retains authority over conditions and revocation.
Know your conditions. Read the community custody conditions document and keep a copy. The 2026 changes to violation sanctions mean sanctions can include up to 60 days confinement per violation - compliance matters more than ever.
Know about compliance credits. Under RCW 9.94A.717, compliant behavior can earn credits that reduce the remaining supervision period. Ask your CCO about how this applies to your case.
Contact before you act. Address changes, travel outside Washington, employment changes: all require advance approval.
For families: use the DOC Incarcerated Search for people currently in state prison. For community custody status, contact the DOC through (360) 725-8213. For ISRB matters, contact the ISRB through the DOC website. Register with VINE for automated notifications.
Violations: what families should know
For community custody violations, DOC addresses violation behavior through a structured disciplinary process. Effective January 1, 2026, courts can impose up to 60 days confinement per violation. More serious violations can result in return to DOC custody.
For ISRB parole violations (pre-1984 and sex offense CCB cases), the ISRB handles revocation hearings. The Board can revoke release or impose new conditions.
For misdemeanor probation violations, the sentencing court holds the hearing.
In all cases: get an attorney involved immediately. Show up to hearings.
Early termination and getting off supervision
For community custody, supervision compliance credits under RCW 9.94A.717 can reduce the period. DOC can also recommend early termination when supervision is no longer needed.
For ISRB cases, the Board handles early discharge. A final discharge request form is available for people previously under ISRB jurisdiction for pre-1984 crimes, which also addresses restoration of civil rights.
Washington has a process for vacation of conviction records for certain offenses. Clemency and pardons are handled by the Clemency and Pardons Board with recommendations to the Governor. An attorney is the right resource.
[Internal link block to render at foot of article:]
- See every prison and jail in Washington: /prisons/washington
- Send mail or photos to someone in Washington: InmateAid mail and photos service
- Send money to someone in Washington: InmateAid send money
- Search arrest records in Washington: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)
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Frequently asked questions
Did Washington abolish parole?
Discretionary parole was abolished for crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984, under the Sentencing Reform Act. Most people in Washington prisons today are released to community custody, not parole.
What is community custody in Washington?
The modern post-release supervision mechanism for post-SRA felony sentences. It is part of the determinate sentence - ordered by the court, supervised by DOC Community Corrections. Not a board-granted parole.
What is the ISRB?
The Indeterminate Sentence Review Board - a five-member quasi-judicial board within DOC that handles three categories: pre-July 1984 crimes (traditional parole), certain sex offenses since September 2001, and juvenile-as-adult cases.
What are the three ISRB case types?
PRE (pre-July 1, 1984 crimes - traditional indeterminate parole), CCB (certain sex offenses committed on or after September 1, 2001), and JUVBRD (crimes committed before age 18, sentenced as adults).
What changed for violations in January 2026?
Under RCW 9.94A.633 effective January 1, 2026, a court may sanction a community custody violation with up to 60 days of confinement per violation finding.
What are supervision compliance credits?
Under RCW 9.94A.717, people on community custody can earn credits through compliant behavior that reduce the remaining supervision period. Ask your community corrections officer how this applies to your case.
How do I find someone in Washington state custody?
Use the DOC Incarcerated Search at doc.wa.gov by name or DOC number. Call (360) 725-8213 or the public info line at (866) 359-1939. For county jail inmates, contact the county sheriff. Register with VINE at (1-877-846-3492) for notifications.
What is a community corrections officer (CCO)?
The DOC officer who supervises people on community custody in the field. For ISRB parole cases, DOC CCOs also do day-to-day supervision, but the ISRB retains revocation authority.
Can people on community custody vote in Washington?
Yes. Washington restores voting rights upon release from incarceration. People on community custody, parole, and misdemeanor probation can register and vote.
What is Washington's Clemency and Pardons Board?
A separate body from the ISRB that makes recommendations to the Governor on clemency, commutation, and pardons. Active in 2026 with a 2025-revised policy manual.
What is probation in Washington?
For felonies, community custody (DOC-supervised) is used instead of traditional probation. Traditional probation applies to misdemeanor cases in district or municipal court, where the sentencing court supervises and handles violations.
Can supervision be shortened in Washington?
Yes. Supervision compliance credits under RCW 9.94A.717 can reduce the community custody period. For ISRB cases, the Board handles early discharge and final discharge requests including restoration of civil rights. =====================================================
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