Past, current inmates win settlement on shipping

The Olympian • Published February 29, 2008

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OLYMPIA – Some current and former Department of Corrections inmates have been awarded a $1,262,500 settlement after they either paid to ship their property between institutions or had their property donated or destroyed when they were transferred.

Thurston County Superior Court preliminarily approved the settlement, which covers shipping costs and property losses incurred by inmates between November 1998 and January 2005. Awards are limited to $75 per inmate.

In 1995, DOC established a policy limiting inmates to shipping two boxes of possessions at public expense when they transferred from one prison to another or to another jurisdiction. Inmates and their families had the option of paying to ship additional boxes. If an inmate didn't do so, his or her possessions were donated or discarded.

In 2005 the State Supreme Court ruled that existing law required DOC to pay for shipping all possessions. The Legislature passed a new law allowing the department to determine the types and amounts of inmate material that will be shipped at taxpayer expense.

"We have decided to settle this case to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation," DOC Secretary Eldon Vail said.

An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 past and current inmates might be eligible for reimbursement up to $75 each. Payments will vary for those who shipped their own property.

The department will make notices and claim forms available in law libraries at each facility and at www.doc.wa.gov. A third-party administrator will mail notification to people who might be eligible, according to the department.