Last month, the GOP-led state Senate Law and Justice Committee released its report on the scandal involving the state Department of Corrections’ (DOC) early release of prison inmates. As Shift pointed out, the report – based on interviews with DOC employees – places the burden of responsibility on former Corrections Secretary Bernie Warner.
Of course, that perspective was left out of the conclusions that Jay Inslee’s so-called “independent” review reached.
Since then, Democrats have attempted to do damage control by claiming the Senate’s investigation was politically motivated. But, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin’s editorial board argues that the investigation was, in fact, a “prudent use of public money,” a necessary “part of the process of restoring the public’s faith in the DOC.”
The report found a series of blunders within the agency and the lack of prioritization or follow up by several employees were to blame for the agency’s failure to quickly fix the software programming error once it was brought to their attention…
The report took aim at the culture of the DOC that allowed the problem to fester It specifically cited the hands-off management style of Warner as a contributor to a staff culture that didn’t recognize the urgency of public safety as an overriding agency mission.
This report is another important piece of information needed as steps are being taken to fix the problems at DOC and rebuild credibility.
Rather than fix the problems highlighted by the report, Democrats continue to attack the report itself. It’s a clear attempt on the part of Inslee’s administration to deflect blame and excuse its incredible incompetency.
It’s a clear sign that Democrats have controlled the Olympia bureaucracy for far too long. Rebuilding credibility in state agencies demands leadership changes.
The inbred-ness of democrat rule has ruined the state. Time to give Inslee the boot.