As an employee with the Washington Department of Corrections you risk your health and welfare everyday by working directly with convicted felons.  It is a known fact that assault rates upon staff resulting in serious injuries are increasing in our state.

As a Chapter of the 10,000+ member National Staff Assault Task Force, the WSATF was organized in July of 2007 by current and former members of the Washington State Department of Corrections who recognized a need to assist staff members who have been assaulted and injured by inmates. The Task Force was formed by a group of concerned Correctional Employees who have banded together and formed a non-profit, membership controlled, employee organization to fight back.

The WSATF was established to provide Staff Assault Support, and to aide crime victims within our community. The organization is a 501 (C) (5) non profit corporation that can make political contributions and was formed under the Washington miscellaneous and mutual corporation act. 

Far too many times, Correctional Employees are forgotten about after an assault. The Task Force has established a system where assault victims will not be forgotten. This system ensures that each and every member has a voice. Once the staff member has been assisted, the inmate will then be held accountable through the Civil Court process.

When an inmate assaults a Correctional Employee, the Task Force will ensure that an asset check on the inmate is performed to see if the inmate has any assets. Many people believe that all inmates are poor. This is the farthest from the truth. Many inmates have assets that you and I don’t see. Once the asset check is complete, based on the amount of assets that are available, the Task Force will file a lawsuit in the appropriate court. Once the lawsuit is settled, all proceeds will go directly to the injured staff, as it should. Even if the inmate has no outside assets, they may have a trust account at the institution along with Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs.) It may be small potatoes to you and me, but ask an inmate if he wants you to own his trust account. One has to remember that it’s not about the money; it’s about holding these convicted felons accountable for their actions.

Keith Rapp
Director
Washington Staff Assault Task Force