FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5810

C 315 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning security threat group information.

Sponsors: Senators Darneille, Carrell and Shin; by request of Department of Corrections.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background: The Special Investigations Services Unit (SISU) of the Department of Corrections (DOC) collects, evaluates, collates, and analyzes data and special investigative information concerning the existence, activities, and operation of security threat groups, drugs, and violence within DOC facilities. SISU gathers intelligence and trains other correctional officers on offenders and possible gang affiliation.

The Security Threat Group (STG) at DOC is a system to identify and monitor the movement and activities of offenders and offender groups who pose a potential threat to the security or safety of employees, contract staff, volunteers, visitors, other offenders, criminal justice partners, and the community. The Headquarters STG maintains a centralized database which contains specific information pertaining to offenders who pose a security threat. Access to the STG database is restricted to authorized DOC employees. Authorized field employees have access to the database to add documentation or validation information concerning an offender. All other DOC employees have access to limited information from the database.

Upon request, an agency must make its public records available for public inspection and copying unless the records fall within a specific statutory exemption. The current list of exemptions does not include information contained in DOC's STG database.

Summary: DOC may collect, evaluate, collate, and analyze data and specific investigative information concerning security threat groups, drugs, and violence within DOC facilities and the participants involved. The following STG information collected and maintained by DOC is exempt from public disclosure:

• information that could lead to the identification of a person's STG status, affiliation, or activities;

• information that reveals specific security threats associated with the operation and activities of STGs; and

• information that identifies the number of STG members, affiliates, or associates.

Votes on Final Passage: