In Washington state work release facilities serve as a bridge between a 24 hour a day jail sentence, and being allowed to have time to work and live in the community while serving court imposed confinement. Incarcerated people in work release programs focus on transition – inclusive of finding and retaining employment, doing treatment, reconnecting with family members, developing life skills, and becoming productive members of the community at large. Work release allows for growth and opportunity; it is a very good program.
Unfortunately, work release, like so many other things, is prone to Covid 19, as has been proven by one Seattle facility that has had more than half its residents test positive for coronavirus. The first cases were detected in Mid-October. By the end of the month 49 residents (along with one staff member) had contracted the virus. The residents have been quarantined, and those infected have moved to housing designated for people with Covid 19. The facility will eventually be entirely cleared and cleaned. The inherent problem, however, is that work release facilities are prone to infectious diseases due to their make-up – by nature, they are communal. Is there a fix to this problem? Probably not. In short, those who may benefit from doing work release may also be at greater risk of contracting Covid 19. Is it worth it? No doubt it isn’t a decision most would want to make. Unfortunately, ‘thems the breaks’, as they say; it isn’t as if courts, judges or law makers are just going to do away with confinement obligations all together, right?
If you or a loved one is facing a criminal charge, don’t hesitate to hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal attorneys that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.
