DOC Announces Restructure of Community Corrections Division

Your Corrections Union-Management Communications team got a preview Sept. 10, but the Department of Corrections yesterday (Sept. 14) rolled out its proposed restructure sparked by budget cuts and new reduced sentencing laws.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: These cuts impact not only jobs but they compromise public safety. Our Community Corrections members said throughout the session and continue to say this. We only hope we don't have a tragedy that proves the error of this path the Legislature and administration has taken.

The cuts to staff will take place from this Friday through the end of the year. The Federation and its Community Corrections team have so far mitigated the cuts and will continue bargaining impacts and offering alternatives in the interim. But a cut is a cut is a cut.

But having said that, here are the facts of what DOC is proposing on restructuring Community Corrections:

• Previously, it appeared that 500-plus individuals might be impacted. The data shared in recent days shows considerably less, but the numbers are still over 200 layoffs. Many of those may be vacant, temporary and other positions and the actual number of employees forced out will be considerably less than what the Legislature estimated. But whether it's hundreds of cuts or only dozens, the impact of any cut in Community Corrections will be felt.
  
  
• DOC is using the workload matrix to determine the cuts they believe are necessary. The decrease in offenders supervised is caused by sentencing changes (shorter terms) as well as policy changes regarding the type of offenders supervised based on risk and the reclassification of offenders.
  
  
• The agency plans to eliminate vacancies, non-permanents, probationary, and trial service positions that will not become permanent by Oct. 1, 2009.

The changes set to take effect this Friday (Sept 18):

• Eliminate all vacant Matrix positions unless the position elimination drops the section below Matrix staffing levels;
  
• Return permanent staff in temporary appointments to their permanent positions;
  
• End all temporary Community Corrections officer appointments in King and Pierce counties;
• End all probationary CCO appointments in King and Pierce counties unless the probationary employee will achieve permanent status on or before Oct. 1, 2009;
• End all temporary support staff appointments.
• End all probationary support staff appointments unless the probationary employee will achieve permanent status on or before Oct. 1.

The changes set to take effect Nov. 15:

• Lay off permanent support staff necessary to reach Matrix staffing levels (about 33 positions). DOC has vacant positions in these job classes available as layoff options.
  
  
• Lay off all Community Corrections assistant positions that are funded through the Matrix (about 36 positions).

The changes set to take effect Jan. 1:

• Eliminate Re-Entry Specialist positions (about 26 positions).

There is hope that after the decline seen since the sentencing change and reclassification of offenders with the risk model that there will be a leveling and perhaps an increase in the population.