Washington crime victims could get added confidentiality

ther,” Nobles said.

Victims and witnesses who want to keep track of perpetrators in prison to know when they are released will be able to keep their identities private, if a bill that passed the Washington state Senate with broad bipartisan support becomes law.

“This bill creates a safer environment for the victims and survivors, and they are not placed again in harm’s way because of a public records request,” said T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest).

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) provides a tracking program for victims and witnesses so they know when the person who victimized them is released into the community.

The current law requires that inmates will not be notified nor have access to the location of the individuals who request to track them when they are in prison.

However, the DOC is required to keep a record of the requests and there is a chance that perpetrators can find out who wants to be notified of their release through public records, Nobles said. With the bill, those records will remain confidential.

“People from domestic violence cases need the space to find healing, but that is incredibly challenging when they are concerned for their safety or if they are at risk of being harmed fur-