The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the institutional welfare account, which supports the well-being of incarcerated individuals in Washington State. It establishes a collaborative process between the Department of Corrections and incarcerated individuals to ensure that expenditures are informed by their real-time needs and lived experiences. The bill mandates the creation of a feedback mechanism that allows incarcerated individuals and their families to provide input on the availability and quality of services, goods, and programs at correctional facilities.

Key amendments to RCW 72.09.092 include the expansion of the institutional welfare account to encompass additional funding sources such as legislative appropriations, donations, and grants. The bill specifies that funds from this account cannot be used for the creation or maintenance of law libraries. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Corrections to compile and publish an annual report detailing expenditures from the account, including feedback collected from incarcerated individuals and their families, thereby promoting transparency in how these funds are utilized.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 72.09.092