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Family Emergencies

Funeral & Bedside Visits

Furloughs or releases from prison are not granted. Per DOC 420.110 Escorted Leaves and Furloughs (pdf), the Department allows incarcerated individuals to be considered for escorted leaves for deathbed visits or funeral attendance of an immediate family member. Approval is at the discretion of the Superintendent/designee.

The incarcerated individual may be allowed an escorted bedside visit to a hospital or nursing home, or be escorted to attend the funeral, but will not be allowed to do both.

Expenses

Expenses are the responsibility of the incarcerated individual or their family and must be pre-paid before the bedside visit or funeral trip. Expenses include mileage, meals, overnight lodging, and employee salary for the normal supervision requirements of the incarcerated individual's custody classification.

The incarcerated individual's assigned Corrections Counselor will provide a cost estimate. Contact the Corrections Counselor for assistance.

Conditions

  • Escorted leave must be within Washington State
  • Escort employees will maintain visual or auditory contact with the incarcerated individual at all times. Auditory contact should only be used when circumstances do not permit visual contact.
  • The incarcerated individual will be housed in a city or county jail, state facility, or other Department supervised arrangement at all times when not in transit or actually engaged in the escorted leave activity.
  • Law enforcement will be notified.

Additionally, the duration of deathbed visits or funeral trips will not exceed 48 hours, including travel, unless approved by the Superintendent/designee.

See DOC 420.110 Escorted Leaves and Furloughs (pdf) and DOC 420.115 Special Escorted Leave for Funerals/Deathbed Visits on Tribal Lands (pdf) for more information.