PRESS RELEASE: Washington Department of Corrections Names Adrian Thompson as Interim Equity & Inclusion Administrator

Released March 11, 2021

Contact Susan Biller (email)

DOC Communications

TUMWATER – Secretary Stephen Sinclair has named Dr. Adrian Thompson as the Washington Department of Corrections’ interim Equity & Inclusion Administrator. Dr. Thompson will seek to improve public safety by promoting workplace strategies to create a values-driven, equitable, diverse, inclusive, respectful (EDIR) and anti-racist culture to positively change lives.

He will provide leadership and direction to help advance the department’s EDIR policies.

He has worked for the Department of Corrections as a staff psychologist for over two years. Prior to his work in the Department, he advocated across several clinical settings for youth who are marginalized.

“Dr. Thompson’s experience has made him a great choice for this interim role,” said Secretary Sinclair. “His experience with researching physiological effects of race and racism and diversity have made him a great asset to the department.”

In his previous work, Dr. Thompson helped research mental health disparities in the court system, advocated and treated youth who were sexually abused and co-created a medical mentoring program designed to target disparities in high school achievement and medical school enrollment.

Dr. Thompson earned his doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Howard University. While at Howard, Dr. Thompson participated in several nationwide diversity and minority initiatives which aimed to increase diversity and representation in academia. His research and publications focus on physiological effects of race and racism, diversity, and social initiatives to increase minority participation.

Thompson takes over from Dr. Karen Johnson, who was recently appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the role of director of the Office of Equity.