Resources During Incarceration for Inmates in King County Jails

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Disability Rights Information and Referrals
Disability Rights Washington (DRW)
Legal Services
Columbia Legal Services (CLS)
Incarcerated Parents Project
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington
King County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Parent 4 Parent Program (P4P)
Complaint Resolution
King County Ombudsman’s Office
King County Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
Washington State Department of Health
Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)

Purpose of this Guide

The purpose of this guide is to help people with disabilities who are currently incarcerated in King County jails identify outside resources they can access to address concerns about jail conditions or other issues arising during their incarceration. These resources do not replace jail kite and grievance policies

Introduction

This is a publication by the AVID Jail Project: Amplifying Voices of Inmates with Disabilities.

Disability Rights Washington is the independent, private, non-profit organization designated as Washington’s protection and advocacy agency, and mandated to protect the rights of people with disabilities statewide. DRW’s mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities.

This guide provides information about resources available to inmates before they are released from jail. The AVID Jail Project hopes this guide will help current inmates with disabilities identify organizations and agencies they can contact to address concerns about jail conditions or other issues arising during their incarceration.

The AVID Jail Project of Disability Rights Washington provides information and assistance to inmates with disabilities. The AVID Jail Project hopes this guide will help inmates and their advocates better understand and exercise their rights.

This guide is divided into four sections:

1. Disability Rights Information and Referrals;
2. Legal Services;
3. Complaint Resolution; and
4. Identity-Specific Resources.

The organizations listed under each section have confirmed to the AVID Jail Project that they provide assistance to current inmates and that they accept collect calls or letters from inmates. The AVID Jail Project identifies which providers accept collect calls from correctional facilities. Generally inmates are unable to dial 1-800 numbers from jail.

This information is current as of February 2017, after which point it may have changed. Please contact the AVID Jail Project at the contact information listed for Disability Rights Washington, below, if you believe any of the information provided is out of date.

Disability Rights Information and Referrals

Disability Rights Washington (DRW)

DRW provides referrals, information, and support for self-advocacy, as well as limited legal representation to individuals with disabilities throughout the State of Washington, including individuals who are currently incarcerated in jails and prisons.

Call (accepts collect calls):
(206) 324-1521

Write:
Disability Rights Washington
AVID
315 5th Ave S, Ste 850
Seattle, WA 98104
LEGAL MAIL

Legal Service

Columbia Legal Services (CLS)

CLS provides representation on a limited basis to low-income people who are confined or reside in institutions in Washington State, including jails and prisons.  CLS is able to accept few cases, and those usually involve civil rights or conditions of confinement issues (abuse, neglect, lack of medical care, use of segregation or restraints, etc.).  CLS does not handle criminal cases.  CLS prefers written requests for assistance.

Call (accepts collect calls):
(206) 382‐3399

Write:
Columbia Legal Services
Institutions Project
101 Yesler Way, Ste 300
Seattle, WA 98104
LEGAL MAIL

Incarcerated Parents Project

The Incarcerated Parents Project assists dependency attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, individuals, and advocates working to help incarcerated parents maintain contact with their children or access reproductive health services. Incarcerated parents whose children have been removed from their care by Child Protective Services (CPS) can ask their dependency attorney and/or public defender to contact the Incarcerated Parents Project at the Washington Defender Association. The Incarcerated Parents Project may be able to provide guidance on how to best support reunification efforts and protect parental rights. Parents who are experiencing communication problems with their attorney can contact the Incarcerated Parents Project directly for support in self-advocacy and addressing their concerns.

Incarcerated parents may wish to ask their dependency attorney or public defender to call: (206) 623-4321 ext. 105, or to find more information at www.defensenet.org/ipp.

If an inmate is experiencing communication difficulties with their dependency attorney and public defender, they may write to the Incarcerated Parents Project directly at:

Ms. D’Adre Cunningham
Incarcerated Parents Project Attorney
Washington Defender Association
110 Prefontaine Pl S, Ste 610
Seattle, WA 98104
LEGAL MAIL

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington

The ACLU of Washington does not offer direct legal services to individuals but may provide “know your rights” information and legal fact sheets about jail and prison conditions, practices, and re-entry issues.

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(206) 624-2180

Write:
ACLU of Washington
901 5th Ave., Suite 630
Seattle, WA 98164
LEGAL MAIL

King County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

The King County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service makes referrals for individuals who wish to hire an attorney.  The service does not make referrals for people who need free legal services.  The cost to hire a referred attorney is $250 – $500 per hour.  For a small administrative fee, people will receive a specialized referral to an attorney and a free 30-minute consultation.  The Lawyer Referral Service can provide referrals for attorneys practicing in almost any area of law, including family law, disability benefits, and criminal defense.

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(206) 267-7010

Write:
King County Bar Association
Lawyer Referral Service
1200 5th Ave, Ste 600
Seattle, WA 98101
LEGAL MAIL

Parent 4 Parent Program (P4P)

P4P is a program to help parents whose children have been removed from their care by Child Protective Services (CPS) or whose children are in an in-home dependency. The program connects parents to “Parent Allies” (parents who have been through the juvenile dependency court system before). Parent Allies provide mentorship, emotional support, and information about resources to help parents understand what they must do to successfully reunite with their children.

P4P can meet with parents while they are incarcerated at King County Jail (either King County Correctional Facility or the Regional Justice Center).

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(206) 477-2566

Write:
If a parent has an open CPS case, they can send a white kite to Programs with a request to contact the Parent 4 Parent Coordinator.

Complaint Resolution

King County Ombudsman’s Office

If inmates have a serious complaint about a King County agency, including King County Jail (King County Correctional Facility and the Regional Justice Center) or Jail Health Services, the Ombudsman’s office may be able to help resolve the issue. Provide the Ombudsman’s Office with as many details about the complaint as possible, including the time, date, and location of the incident and the names of any officers, inmates, or witnesses involved.  See the King County Jail Inmate Information Handbook for more information about the scope of the Ombudsman’s services.

Before contacting the Ombudsman’s Office, the inmate should first try to resolve their complaint or concern directly with the jail through the kite or grievance process, unless they feel that doing so might put them in danger or it is a medical emergency.

Call (accepts collect calls):
(206) 477-1051

Write:
King County Ombudsman’s Office
516 3rd Ave, Room W-1039
Seattle, WA 98104
KCC-CC-1039
LEGAL MAIL

The King County Ombudsman’s Office cannot address complaints regarding SCORE or any city jails.

King County Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

The King County OCR has authority to accept and investigate discrimination complaints against King County agencies, including King County Jail (King County Correctional Facility and the Regional Justice Center) or Jail Health Services. People may submit complaints regarding disability access (referred to by OCR as a disability grievance) and regarding discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or sex (referred to by OCR as a Title VI complaint).

Call (accepts collect calls):
(206) 263-2446

If no one is available to take your call, leave a message on the message line at (206) 205-5248. Inmates should enter their PIN number and, when asked for the number they want to dial, they should press 24#. In their message, inmates may wish to give their name, booking number, and a detailed message about their disability or Title VI complaint.

Write:
King County Office of Civil Rights
CNK-ES-0215
401 5th Ave, Ste 215
Seattle, WA 98104
LEGAL MAIL

The King County Office of Civil Rights cannot address complaints regarding SCORE or any city jails.

Washington State Department of Health

The Department of Health is responsible for reviewing all complaints and reports about healthcare providers and facilities it regulates.

A complaint against a health care professional or facility may concern:

1. the provider’s ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety;
2. unprofessional conduct; or
3. unlicensed practice.
   

Health care professionals include, but are not limited to, doctors, doctor’s assistants, nurses, nurse’s assistants, pharmacists, psychologists, mental health counselors, and occupational therapists. Health care facilities include jails, prisons, and psychiatric hospitals, among others. For more information, contact DRW to request a copy of its publication on How to File a Complaint Against a Health Care Provider or Facility and for a complaint form.

If an inmate wishes to file a complaint against a health care provider in a jail, they must identify an individual provider either by name or description. If the inmate is unable to identify an individual provider, they may wish to file their complaint against the director of health or mental health services at the jail.  Inmates may wish to call or write to the Department of Health to request a complaint form.

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(360) 236-4700

Write:
Washington State Department of Health
Health Systems Quality Assurance
Complaint Intake
P.O. Box 47857
Olympia, WA 98504
LEGAL MAIL

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)

The WSBA’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel reviews grievances (complaints) against lawyers for unethical conduct.  Before filing a grievance, clients should try to resolve their dispute with their lawyer directly.  Contact the WSBA beforehand with any concerns about the grievance process. For more information about communicating with attorneys and resolving conflicts, contact DRW to request a copy of its publication on Working with a Public Defender in Criminal Cases.  Inmates may wish to call or write to WSBA to request a complaint form.

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(206) 727-8207

Write:
Washington State Bar Association
1325 4th Ave, Ste 600
Seattle, WA 98101
LEGAL MAIL

Commission on Judicial Conduct

The Commission on Judicial Conduct investigates complaints of judicial misconduct (judges).  Inmates may wish to call or write to the Commission on Judicial Conduct request a complaint form.

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(360) 753-4585

Write:
Commission on Judicial Conduct
P.O. Box 1817
Olympia, WA 98507
LEGAL MAIL

Identity-Specific Resources

Incarcerated Veterans’ Reintegration Services (IVRS)

IVRS staff may help incarcerated veterans develop a case plan and accompany the veteran to court in order to advocate for alternative sentencing, sentence reduction, or early release so the veteran can start a treatment program.

Once the veteran is released from jail, IVRS staff may provide services such as:

• Emergency financial assistance
• Mental health and trauma counseling
• Employment and skills training assistance
• Temporary, transitional, and permanent housing
• Other referral services as necessary.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Honorable, Medical, or General Under Honorable Conditions Discharge
• 181 days of active duty service before September 6, 1980, or 24 months of consecutive active duty service after September 6, 1980, or completion of first term of service
• No present charges or past convictions of felony “strike” crimes, including but not limited to arson and sex offenses

People incarcerated in King County Jail (King County Correctional Facility or the Regional Justice Center) may contact the program by sending a white kite to Veterans’ Services (ask for Incarcerated Veterans’ Reintegration Services), by mail, or by telephone.

People incarcerated at other jails in King County may contact the program via mail or telephone.

Call (does not accept collect calls):
(877) 904-8387

Write:
Incarcerated Veterans’ Reintegration Services
2106 2nd Ave, Ste 100
Seattle, WA 98121 

Black and Pink

Black and Pink is a collective of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) prisoners and “free world” allies who support each other through advocacy, education, and organizing.  The Black and Pink Newspaper is distributed free of charge to LGBTQ prisoners around the country. Each issue contains submissions from incarcerated members, along with relevant news and history.  Black and Pink also facilitates a pen-pal program for LGBTQ prisoners.

To request the Black and Pink Newspaper, write to:

Black and Pink National Office
614 Columbia Rd.
Dorchester, MA 02125

For local resources, a pen-pal, or support starting a chapter on the inside, write to:

Black and Pink Seattle-Tacoma Chapter
P.O. Box 1099
Seattle, WA 98111

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Always advocate in a timely manner. Please be aware that there are certain time limits or deadlines to file a complaint, a lawsuit, or take legal action.

DRW cannot guarantee that any individual or organization included in this material will represent or assist you. DRW also cannot guarantee the quality of this individual’s or organization’s representation.

Permission to reprint this publication is granted by the author, DRW, provided that the publication is distributed free of charge and with attribution. If you do disseminate any DRW document, please send us an email to info@dr-wa.org letting us know the nature of the audience and number of people with whom it was shared.

Disability Rights Washington
315 5th Ave S, Ste 850
Seattle, WA 98104
Voice: (206) 324-1521 or (800) 562-2702
Fax: (206) 957-0729
Email: info@dr-wa.org
Website: www.disabilityrightswa.org

Interpreters available.

DRW is a member of the National Disability Rights Network.
A substantial portion of the DRW budget is federally funded.