Corrections officers push lawmakers for better uniforms

MONROE — The way Carl Beatty sees it, the uniform he wears should reflect the pride he takes in his job.

Such was the sense the Desert Storm veteran had when he served 18 years in the U.S. Marines on active duty and in the reserves.

These days, Beatty can’t say the uniform he wears matches the pride he takes in his job as a corrections officer at the state prison in Monroe.

“The uniform is very poor quality,” he said. “It doesn’t hold up to what we do. It doesn’t stand up to the rigors of our job. This has been a real sore spot for us for several years.”

Beatty and corrections officers across the state have taken their case for better threads to Olympia. They want the Legislature to sack their garment makers — the inmates the officers are charged with keeping in line.

Inmates at three prisons make anywhere from 55 cents to $1.55 an hour sewing uniforms as part of the state’s Correctional Industries program. The state-run industries provide inmate jobs, such as making license plates and furniture. The idea is to cut the costs of goods for public agencies and non-profit groups.

The uniforms are provided to officers at no cost, an arrangement backed up in state law.

House Bill 2346 would remove the requirement that the corrections officers wear the inmate-sewn uniforms. The bill passed, 92-3.*

Industrial sewing employs 100 inmates and eight corrections staff.

Other state law officers are issued uniforms bought on the open market.

Washington State Patrol troopers wear taxpayer-financed uniforms provided by a private company. The contract includes include pants, shirts, coats, shoes, belts, hats and bow ties.

Uniforms and other supplies provided under the contract cost $611,000 in 2011 for 623 troopers, Washington State Patrol spokesman Dan Coon said.

Corrections officers are required to wear the inmate-made uniforms.

A financial analysis estimated it could cost about $311,000 more a year to pay for corrections officer uniforms if the contract was open to bids.

Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, said he has seen firsthand examples of shoddy workmanship on the uniforms. He supported the House bill.

“I think it’s the least we can do,” he said.

Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, said he understands the officers’ desire to get better-quality uniforms.

“They are frustrated,” Sells said. “How they look affects how they are received.”

Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, D-Edmonds, voted against the uniform bill.

She’s a newly appointed member of the Correctional Industries advisory board.

“I think there are some questions about the Legislature intervening in what I think should be a conversation taking place between the Department of Corrections and Correctional Industries,” she said.

Roberts also said she has seen good work in other areas, such as inmate-made furniture that is used in college dorms.

“I think it’s important we provide work opportunities,” she said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com

*Correction, Feb. 16, 2012: The House bill passed, 92-3. An earlier version of this story stated that a different version of the bill passed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic idles while waiting for the lights to change along 33rd Avenue West on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood seeks solutions to Costco traffic boondoggle

Let’s take a look at the troublesome intersection of 33rd Avenue W and 30th Place W, as Lynnwood weighs options for better traffic flow.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Death of Everett boy, 4, spurs questions over lack of Amber Alert

Local police and court authorities were reluctant to address some key questions, when asked by a Daily Herald reporter this week.

The new Amazon fulfillment center under construction along 172nd Street NE in Arlington, just south of Arlington Municipal Airport. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210708
Frito-Lay leases massive building at Marysville business park

The company will move next door to Tesla and occupy a 300,0000-square-foot building at the Marysville business park.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
1 dead in motorcycle crash on Highway 522 in Maltby

Authorities didn’t have any immediate details about the crash that fully blocked the highway Friday afternoon.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mom charged with first-degree murder in death of son, 4

On Friday, prosecutors charged Janet Garcia, 27, three weeks after Ariel Garcia went missing from an Everett apartment.

Dr. Mary Templeton (Photo provided by Lake Stevens School District)
Lake Stevens selects new school superintendent

Mary Templeton, who holds the top job in the Washougal School District, will take over from Ken Collins this summer.

A closed road at the Heather Lake Trail parking lot along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 20, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mountain Loop Highway partially reopens Friday

Closed since December, part of the route to some of the region’s best hikes remains closed due to construction.

Emma Dilemma, a makeup artist and bikini barista for the last year and a half, serves a drink to a customer while dressed as Lily Munster Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at XO Espresso on 41st Street in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
After long legal battle, Everett rewrites bikini barista dress code

Employees now have to follow the same lewd conduct laws as everyone else, after a judge ruled the old dress code unconstitutional.

The oldest known meteor shower, Lyrid, will be falling across the skies in mid- to late April 2024. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Clouds to dampen Lyrid meteor shower views in Western Washington

Forecasters expect a storm will obstruct peak viewing Sunday. Locals’ best chance at viewing could be on the coast. Or east.

AquaSox's Travis Kuhn and Emerald's Ryan Jensen an hour after the game between the two teams on Sunday continue standing in salute to the National Anthem at Funko Field on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New AquaSox stadium downtown could cost up to $120M

That’s $40 million more than an earlier estimate. Alternatively, remodeling Funko Field could cost nearly $70 million.

Downtown Everett, looking east-southeast. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191022
5 key takeaways from hearing on Everett property tax increase

Next week, City Council members will narrow down the levy rates they may put to voters on the August ballot.

Everett police officers on the scene of a single-vehicle collision on Evergreen Way and Olivia Park Road Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Photo provided by Everett Police Department)
Everett man gets 3 years for driving high on fentanyl, killing passenger

In July, Hunter Gidney crashed into a traffic pole on Evergreen Way. A passenger, Drew Hallam, died at the scene.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.