Report: Washington inmates need better quality food and health care
Nov 5, 2019, 12:45 PM

A by the Washington Department of Corrections Ombuds found the state鈥檚 inmates should be receiving better quality health care and food.
Washington DOC to alter policy and allow used books for prisoners
More than 2,000 complaints were filed with the office since it first opened last year. The office was established to provide independent oversight of the state鈥檚 prison system.
The report, released Friday, shows most of the complaints were related to concerns over health care. the complaints came as the Monroe Correctional Complex deals with seven deaths at the facility. The prison鈥檚 top doctor was fired earlier this year in response.
Inmates at other jails also have gone on meal strikes to protest the quality of food.
DOC officials said they were reviewing the report, which also recommends the department focus more on helping inmates re-enter society.
鈥淭o truly see change, the Governor鈥檚 office and the Washington Legislature need to give DOC a new vision in line with today鈥檚 focus on rehabilitation and reentry,鈥 said Ombuds Director Joanna Carns.
Program helps Washington women with life after prison
The Corrections Department has asked the Legislature for more funding to improve its healthcare and food options.
In a statement sent to the Times, a spokesperson for Gov. Inslee said he鈥檚 鈥減leased to see that DOC and the Ombuds have worked together to identify and address many issues and make improvements to benefit incarcerated individuals and their families.鈥