Per RCW 43.376.020, the Department of Corrections (DOC) makes a reasonable effort to collaborate with Indian tribes in the development of policies, agreements, and program implementation that directly affects tribes. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in the State of Washington.
About
The secretary shall designate a tribal relations liaison who interacts with tribes and reports directly to the secretary.
The tribal relations liaison is responsible for assisting the department in developing and implementing agency policies that promote effective communication and collaboration between the department and tribal governments, and coordinating training of departmental employees in cultural competency in providing effective services to tribal governments and tribal members (RCW 43.376.030).
Tribal Statistics
45.3% Recidivism Rate
45.3% of incarcerated individuals identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native returned to prison within 36 months of release. (March 2021)
4.9% of Incarcerated Individuals
4.9% of the Department's incarcerated population, or 642 individuals, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native. (December 2021)
4.0% of Supervised Individuals
4.0% of the Department's supervised population, or 527 individuals, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native. (December 2021)
1.5% of Staff
1.5% of staff, or 121 individuals, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native. (December 2021)
1.9% of Citizens
1.9% of Washington state's population, or approximately 147,035 individuals, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native. (US Census Bureau, July 2021)
Corrections Indian Policy Advisory Committee (CIPAC)
Corrections Indian Policy Advisory Committee (CIPAC) membership consists of delegates appointed by their respective tribal governments within Washington State to represent the interests of the tribe with their citizens involved in the justice system. CIPAC's function reflects the government-to-government relationship between the Department of Corrections and our sovereign tribes.
Powwow Schedule
Any community member interested in attending a Powwow must contact the facility Religious Coordinator at least 55 days prior to the date of the event. Dates are tentative and subject to change due to facility needs.
| Location | Unit | Date | Event Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airway Heights Corrections Center | Main | Thursday, August 7, 2025 | AHCC |
| MSU | Thursday, August 14, 2025 | ||
| Cedar Creek Corrections Center | –– | Saturday, August 23, 2025 | CCCC |
| Clallam Bay Corrections Center | –– | Saturday, August 2, 2025 | CBCC |
| –– | –– | ||
| Coyote Ridge Corrections Center | Main | Saturday, May 17, 2025 | CRCC |
| MSU | Sunday, May 18, 2025 | ||
| Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women | –– | TBD, September, 2025 | MCCCW |
| Monroe Correctional Complex | MSU | Saturday, August 2, 2025 | MCC |
| SRTC | Saturday, August 30, 2025 | ||
| TRU-A/B | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | ||
| TRU-C/D | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | ||
| WSRU | Saturday, August 16, 2025 | ||
| Olympic Corrections Center | –– | Friday, September 19, 2025 | OCC |
| Stafford Creek Corrections Center | –– | Thursday, September 25, 2025 | SCCC |
| Washington Corrections Center | –– | Thursday, August 30, 2025 | WCC |
| Washington Corrections Center for Women | –– | Saturday, September 6, 2025 | WCCW |
| Washington State Penitentiary | MSU | Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | WSP |
| BAR Units (Baker, Adams, Rainier) | Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | ||
| D/E | Thursday, September 11, 2025 | ||
| West Complex (WC) | Friday, September 26, 2025 | ||
| East Complex (EC) | Thursday, September 18, 2025 |
Resources
Policies
- DOC 200.000 Trust Accounts for Offenders
- DOC 420.115 Special Escorted Leave for Funerals/Deathbed Visits on Tribal Lands
Forms
Laws & Regulations
Below are the state laws (RCWs) that apply to and/or relate to Tribal Relations.
- RCW 43.376.010 Definitions.
- RCW 43.376.020 Government-to-government relationships—State agency duties.
- RCW 43.376.030 State agency tribal liaison.
Publications
Reports to the Governor's Office
Per RCW 43.376.020, the Department must submit an annual report to the governor's office on agency activities involving tribal relations.
- 2023 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 14)
- 2022 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 11)
- 2021 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 12)
- 2020 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 13-14)
- 2019 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 10-11)
- 2018 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 11-12)
- 2017 Centennial Accord Agency Highlights (p. 8)
Resource Links
Department of Corrections is proud to be a workgroup member organization of the Governor's Indian Health Advisory Council.
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- American Indian Community Center
- American Indian Health Commission
- National Congress of American Indians
- Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
- Seattle Indian Health Board
- Small Tribes Organization of Western Washington (STOWW)
- South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA)
- Unkitawa
- Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force
Contracts
Native American Religious & Cultural Services Contract
- Department of Corrections Contract No. K12713 (1/2022, signatures on file)