WA State DOC trans information
| Tracking # |
P-20269 |
| Submitted | April 23, 2021 |
| Est. Completion | Aug. 23, 2023 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Adam Allen
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
The total number of transgender inmates currently in the WA State DOC system. Also let me know how that breaks down between trans women and trans men. I'd like to know what facility you send trans women to, and which one you send trans men to. I'd also like to know how many trans inmates are housed in isolation/solitary confinement vs. some sort of general housing situation. And I would like this breakdown to cover the years 2010-2020. Thank you.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Adam Allen
From: Department of Corrections
April 29, 2021
Adam:
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of you public records request sent April 23, 2021. For future reference, your request has been assigned public records tracking number, P-20269. You have requested:
1. The total number of transgender individuals who are currently incarcerated in a DOC facility broken down by "trans men" and "trans women".
2. What facility DOC houses trans individuals at.
3. Number of transgender individuals housed in solitary confinement and/or isolation from 2010-2020.
If I have captured any portion of your request incorrectly, please let me know. A public records request is a request for identifiable public records, where DOC has a record that answers your questions, we will provide it.
Due to a temporary restraining order granted by the Court in Does v. DOC, et al: USDC Cause No. 4:21-cv-05059, the Department will not be producing any records until the Court rules on whether or not to grant a preliminary injunction.
I will follow up with you after the Court's decision regarding the production of any records responsive to your request.
Sincerely,
Denise Vaughan
Denise Vaughan, Information Governance Director
Administrative Operations Division
Department of Corrections
(360) 725-8854 (office)
From: Adam Allen
Hi Ms Vaughan: Thank you for your quick response. I have to admit to being curious about the court case. When I put in the whole title ("Does v....-05059) I got something in MIssouri. The only other thing I could fin is a recent court case where plaintiffs asked for a mandamus writ to instruct the executive branch to prioritize categories of inmates at high risk for COVID as well as balancing community safety and other release factors they normally take into account.
You've gotten my request right. Partly I'm asking because even though I've talked to several other trans activists, none of them seem to know where trans men are sent. From what I hear, trans women are usually sent to Monroe CC. But I wonder if it's always been that way? Or if there are plans to do something different in the future. That's part of why I asked for such a long timeframe.
Thanks,
Adam
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Washington Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 23, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Corrections
Adam:
There has been a preliminary injunction issued in Does v. DOC, et al: USDC Cause No. 4:21-cv-05059 that prohibits the release of records at this time. I will respond further as soon as the Court has determined what if any records can be released in response to this and other pending requests on this subject matter.
Sincerely,
Denise Vaughan
Denise Vaughan, Information Governance Director
Administrative Operations Division
Department of Corrections
(360) 725-8854 (office)
(360) 810-1130 (cell)
-
~WRD0000
From: Adam Allen
Hi Ms. Vaughan: I'm confused. Can you clarify something for me please? Is this case and injunction related to inmate files and what information is given out through FOIA? Or is it directly related to trans issues? I can't find it with an internet search. Are you allowed to clarify the subject matter here?
Adam
From: Department of Corrections
August 8, 2023
Adam Allen
requests@muckrock.com
Dear Adam Allen,
I am writing in follow up to previous response sent to you regarding your public records request,
P-20269. The last response sent to you regarding this request was April 29, 2021, when you were notified of a court order issued that prohibited DOC from providing you the records requested. There is still an injunction in place that prohibits us from releasing records at this time, however, I am following up to see if you still wish to obtain the records requested or if you would like to alter your request in any way so that we can have responsive records gathered and ready for release when the case is resolved.
If we receive no response from you within 15 days, on or before, August 23, 2023, we will assume you no longer wish to pursue the request and we will consider the request withdrawn.
Sincerely,
Sheila Lawlor
Washington State Department of Corrections
7345 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501
Sheila Lawlor
Information Governance
Records & Information Management
WA State Department of Corrections
sheila.lawlor@doc1.wa.gov<mailto:sheila.lawlor@doc1.wa.gov>