Statewide Reentry Council outlines strategic plan and spotlights housing, tribal outreach and two legislative wins

The Washington Statewide Reentry Council presented a condensed strategic plan at a Results Washington public performance review, emphasizing engagement with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, tribal partners, and local stakeholders to shape reentry policy and practice.

Janelle McPhee, executive director of the council, said the strategic plan and logic model grew from surveys, listening circles inside facilities and other outreach. "The way you see up here right now is was a collective effort," she said, and listed priorities that include fostering better relationships across jails, prisons and youth facilities, elevating tribal programming, and influencing how resources are directed.

Karen Lee, CEO of Plymouth Housing and co-chair of the council, told the governor the council significantly increased engagement and cited two recent legislative actions she said will improve immediate post-release supports: a state bill she identified as "5893," to ensure everyone has access to gate money at release, and a house bill she identified as "299," to ensure state identification upon release. Lee described reentry housing as a continuing statewide shortfall — dedicated reentry housing remains extremely limited and many people outside King County face housing discrimination tied to conviction histories.

Ty Reid, a reentry manager with the Employment Security Department who spoke from lived experience, urged clearer and consistent peer-access processes in facilities, more funding to hire full-time staff and to designate a tribal liaison, and better inclusion of jails and youth-serving facilities in reentry planning.

The council and presenters urged Washington to consider committing to Reentry 2030, a national framework the council said would help coordinate state efforts and set measurable goals. Presenters called for executive leadership and legislative attention to scale housing, mental-health and employment pathways for people leaving custody.

Next steps mentioned in the review include continued outreach in facilities and targeted solicitations to expand reentry housing and services; presenters asked the governor and Legislature to support the council’s strategic priorities with funding and implementation attention.