(1) The department of corrections shall establish an oversight committee to develop a comprehensive interagency plan to provide voluntary, nondenominational moral and character-building residential services and supports for offenders who are incarcerated in prison.

     (2) The interagency plan shall include the following:

     (a) Identification of existing state services and programs, as well as recognized community-based services and programs, for building moral character for those who are incarcerated;

     (b) Identification of methods to improve collaboration and coordination of existing services and the community-based services and programs;

     (c) Recommendations concerning new services and programs for adults who are incarcerated, involving both interagency and community-based efforts;

     (d) Identification of evidence-based practices and areas for further research to support the long-term provision of moral and character-building services and programs for adults who are incarcerated;

     (e) A plan for offering both nondenominational and secular programming; and

     (f) A system to prevent the diversion of public funds to religious activities.

     (3) The oversight committee shall include the following:

     (a) Representatives with decision-making authority from: The department of corrections; the department of social and health services; the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs; county law and justice councils; county community transition coordination networks; specialized county courts such as those addressing child dependency, drug, mental health, and domestic violence related crimes; prosecuting attorneys and public defenders; representatives of at least three faith-based organizations that work primarily in the prisons and at least three faith-based organizations that work primarily with offenders in the community; the religious program manager employed by the department of corrections; one institutional staff chaplain employed by the department of corrections; three chaplains: (i) One of whom volunteers in the institution, (ii) one of whom contracts with the department of corrections, and (iii) one of whom is a Native American program specialist with the department of corrections to serve those who are incarcerated; and six representatives from secular organizations in the private and public sectors that have evidence-based expertise in character and moral skills building, education, and residential programming;

     (b) Two persons representing victims of crimes and their family members and friends;

     (c) One former inmate of the state department of corrections; and

     (d) One individual representing families of inmates who are incarcerated in state correctional institutions.

     (4) In developing the interagency plan, the oversight committee shall seek input on moral and character-based residential programs in our state's adult correctional facilities from the public, including faith-based communities, state institutions of higher education, and the business community.

     (5) The oversight committee shall develop the interagency plan by June 30, 2010, with an interim report due to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2009.

[2008 c 104 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Finding -- 2008 c 104: "The legislature finds that men and women who are incarcerated have the need to develop prosocial behaviors. These behaviors will better enable these men and women to fully participate in society and adhere to law-abiding behaviors, such as continuing treatment that is undertaken in prison, once the person is released in the community.

     Living in an environment where foundational skills are modeled and encouraged fosters positive outcomes for people who have been convicted and sentenced for their crimes. Basic skills include positive decision making, personal responsibility, building a healthy community, religious tolerance and understanding, ethics and morality, conflict management, family life relationships, leadership, managing emotions, restorative justice, transitional issues, and spirituality. Learning and practicing how to overcome minor and significant obstacles in a positive way will prepare offenders who are returning to our communities to begin their new crime-free lives." [2008 c 104 § 1.]