WA DOC - Bellingham Reentry Center

State Work Release

Last Updated: February 23, 2025
Address
1127 N Garden St, Bellingham, WA 98225
County
Whatcom
Phone
360-676-2150

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Bellingham Work Release is for State Work Release offenders have not been sentenced yet and are detained here until their case is heard.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for Reentry facility.

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Satellite View of WA DOC - Bellingham Reentry Center

You can support your loved ones at Bellingham Work Release on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 360-676-2150.

At WA DOC - Bellingham Reentry Center's state corrections facility, well-behaved inmates can join a work release program, getting regular jobs in the public sector during the day. Depending on the rules, they might work weekdays and go home at night, serving their sentences only on weekends. Some stay in halfway houses or at home when they're not working. As they get closer to getting out, they might switch to reintegration programs and could even get full-time jobs when they are released.

This program has perks like better chances of finding a job after getting out, finding work faster, making more money afterward, and being less likely to go back to jail. Bellingham Work Release wants to help inmates succeed in getting back into society.

The Bellingham Reentry Center, located in Whatcom County, serves as a crucial hub for individuals transitioning back into the community after incarceration. With a focus on holistic rehabilitation, the center offers a range of in-house programs and connects residents with valuable resources available in the community.

In-house, residents have access to essential amenities such as computers for educational and vocational purposes, facilitating their integration into the digital age. Additionally, the center facilitates video visits via Zoom and Skype, allowing residents to stay connected with loved ones and participate in remote Narcotics Anonymous meetings and local church services.

A Community Resource Binder serves as a valuable tool for residents, providing information and guidance on accessing support services, employment opportunities, educational programs, and other essential resources available in the community.

Furthermore, the center collaborates with community partners to offer an array of programs and resources designed to address residents' diverse needs and promote successful reintegration. These include:

- Chemical Dependency Treatment: Comprehensive programs aimed at addressing substance abuse issues and supporting residents in their journey towards recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment: Evidence-based treatment approaches combining medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to address substance use disorders effectively.
- Narcotics Anonymous & Alcoholics Anonymous: Meetings conducted via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing residents with a supportive environment for maintaining sobriety and seeking peer support.
- Parenting Classes: Educational programs aimed at equipping residents with essential parenting skills and knowledge to support their families' well-being.
- Medical and Mental Health Treatment: Access to healthcare services, including medical and mental health treatment, ensuring residents receive necessary support for their physical and emotional well-being.
- Employment Training: Vocational training and employment assistance programs aimed at enhancing residents' skills and facilitating their successful reintegration into the workforce.

The Bellingham Reentry Center accommodates both male and female residents, providing a gender-inclusive environment where individuals can access tailored support and resources to address their unique needs and circumstances. Through a combination of in-house programs and community partnerships, the center endeavors to empower residents to make positive life changes, overcome challenges, and build a foundation for a successful reentry into society.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Washington. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at WA DOC - Bellingham Reentry Center.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

WA DOC - Bellingham Reentry Center - FAQs

State work release programs provide eligible inmates with structured employment opportunities while serving their sentences. These programs allow individuals to work in the community while residing in a designated correctional facility, halfway house, or transitional center. The goal is to help inmates develop job skills, support themselves financially, and prepare for successful reintegration upon release. Below are 18 frequently asked questions with detailed answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the purpose of a state work release program?
    A state work release program is designed to provide incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities while they complete their sentences. By allowing inmates to work in the community under strict supervision, the program helps them gain work experience, support their families, pay restitution, and prepare for reentry into society.

  2. Who is eligible for state work release?
    Eligibility is determined based on factors such as offense type, sentence length, behavior while incarcerated, and security classification. Non-violent offenders with a history of good conduct and those nearing the end of their sentence are the most likely candidates. Inmates convicted of certain violent crimes, sex offenses, or escape attempts may be ineligible.

  3. How does an inmate apply for work release?
    Inmates must go through a screening and approval process, which includes a review by prison officials and, in some cases, a state parole board or classification committee. They must secure employment with an approved employer and agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the program.

  4. Where do work release participants live while in the program?
    Most state work release inmates reside in designated transitional centers, halfway houses, or correctional facilities separate from the general prison population. Some states allow participants to live in supervised housing near their workplace under strict curfews and electronic monitoring.

  5. Are inmates allowed to work any job they choose?
    Work release participants must obtain employment with pre-approved employers who agree to the program’s supervision and reporting requirements. Jobs must be legitimate, verifiable, and compliant with state labor laws. Certain industries, such as those requiring unsupervised public interaction, may be restricted.

  6. Do work release inmates earn wages?
    Yes, inmates earn wages at the standard rate for their position, just like non-incarcerated employees. However, a portion of their earnings is typically deducted for room and board, court fines, restitution, child support, and savings to assist with post-release reintegration.

  7. Can work release participants keep all their earnings?
    No, inmates are required to contribute a portion of their wages to cover housing and other fees. The remaining balance is placed into a trust or personal account, which they can access for approved expenses, including family support, legal obligations, and reentry preparation.

  8. Are inmates supervised while at work?
    Inmates are not directly supervised by correctional officers at work but must follow strict reporting requirements. Employers must verify attendance, and work release officers conduct routine job site visits, phone check-ins, and curfew compliance monitoring.

  9. What happens if an inmate violates work release rules?
    Rule violations can result in disciplinary action, removal from the program, loss of earned privileges, or a return to the general prison population. Serious violations, such as failing to report to work, drug use, or attempting escape, may result in additional criminal charges.

  10. Are work release inmates subject to drug and alcohol testing?
    Yes, regular and random drug and alcohol testing is a condition of participation. Failing a test may result in immediate removal from the program and disciplinary action within the correctional system.

  11. Can work release inmates visit family or go home after work?
    No, inmates must return to their designated housing facility immediately after their work shift. Some programs offer home visits or weekend furloughs for those in the final stages of their sentence, but this requires special approval.

  12. What types of jobs are commonly available for work release participants?
    Jobs typically include manufacturing, food service, janitorial work, construction, warehouse labor, agriculture, and other trades. Some programs also provide job training and partnerships with employers who support reintegration efforts.

  13. Can an inmate lose their job while in work release?
    Yes, just like any other employee, work release participants can be terminated by their employer for poor performance, attendance issues, or misconduct. Losing a job may lead to disciplinary action or removal from the program if a replacement job is not secured quickly.

  14. What happens if an employer no longer wants to participate in the program?
    Employers can withdraw from the program at any time if they feel it is no longer beneficial or practical for their business. If this occurs, work release officials will work with the inmate to secure new employment, but failure to do so may lead to removal from the program.

  15. Can work release inmates refuse to participate in the program?
    Participation is voluntary, and inmates can choose not to enroll. However, refusing work release may mean forfeiting potential early release benefits, financial stability, and reentry assistance. Some sentencing agreements may require work release as a condition of parole eligibility.

  16. Does participation in work release shorten an inmate’s sentence?
    In some cases, participation in work release may contribute to good behavior credits or parole eligibility, potentially reducing the length of incarceration. However, it does not automatically shorten a sentence unless specified by the state’s correctional policies.

  17. What are the benefits of state work release programs?
    Work release allows inmates to gain work experience, earn income, support their families, pay debts, and transition back into society while maintaining structured supervision. It also reduces prison overcrowding and helps lower recidivism rates by promoting responsibility and job stability.

  18. How successful are work release programs in preventing reoffending?
    Studies show that inmates who participate in work release programs have a lower recidivism rate than those released directly from prison without structured employment. Access to steady income, job skills, and a support system significantly improves post-release success.

 

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