Statistics

HERE ARE SOME KEY STATISTICS AND CHALLENGES WITHIN WASHINGTON'S STATE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM 

- Probation in Washington: People on probation face strict, daily conditions that can easily lead to re-incarceration if they fail to comply. These punitive rules often trap individuals in a cycle of legal troubles rather than offering support for rehabilitation.

- Prison Tablets and Access to Resources: While some prisons in Washington have introduced tablets for incarcerated individuals, there are concerns that these devices may limit access to essential resources like books and educational materials, while also stripping away the little financial resources that incarcerated people have.

- Incarceration Rate: With an incarceration rate of 373 per 100,000 residents, Washington imprisons a higher percentage of its population than nearly any democratic country on earth. This statistic underscores the need for reform and more effective diversion programs that can reduce reliance on incarceration.

- Prison Gerrymandering: In the 2020 redistricting cycle, Washington successfully reallocated over 90% of individuals in state prisons back to their home communities, a significant step in efforts to end prison gerrymandering. However, more work remains to be done to ensure that those affected by the system are fairly represented.

- Financial Burden of Incarceration: Prisons in Washington force incarcerated people and their families—many of whom are already vulnerable—to subsidize mass incarceration, often paying for phone calls, basic goods, and services, further burdening those who are least able to pay.

- UnConvicted Individuals in Jail: Approximately 73% of people in Washington jails have not been convicted of a crime, meaning they are legally innocent. This statistic highlights the need for reforms that reduce pretrial detention and offer alternatives for individuals who are awaiting trial.

- Reentry Support: Each year, Washington releases roughly 224,134 men and 67,114 women from prisons and jails, yet there is insufficient support to help these individuals successfully reintegrate into society. Without adequate programs for employment, housing, and mental health support, many face a higher likelihood of recidivism.

- Jail Construction Challenges: Thurston County’s ongoing jail construction challenges should serve as a cautionary tale for other communities considering expanding their incarceration systems, urging a focus on alternatives to jail expansion.

- Racial Disparities: Black people in Washington are incarcerated at a rate 5.7 times higher than white people, highlighting significant racial disparities that require systemic reform and proactive efforts to address biases in policing and sentencing.

- Criminalizing "Failure to Appear": Washington’s decision to criminalize “failure to appear” for court dates may be inadvertently hurting public safety by creating a cycle of nonviolent offenders being incarcerated for missed appointments, rather than addressing the underlying causes of their absences.

Sterling Hospedales and his mentoring initiatives aim to directly address many of these challenges in Seattle, Washington. Our workshops focus on building self-esteem, promoting education, and equipping young men with life skills to navigate challenges without resorting to criminal behavior.