When the Washington Staff Assault Task Force ^TM assisted a member in the first filing of a civil lawsuit against the inmate who had attacked him, we were told by a Court Clerk, “You can't sue an inmate.” Our response was, “Well, yes, you can.”

So we did, and we were right. Since our first filing, the WSATF has won 43 lawsuits and lost 0.
From that first filing until today, civil litigation against offenders has been a learning process for the WSATF and the Washington Courts as well. The truth of the matter is that County Prosecutors very seldom charge prisoners with staff assault.

From the very beginning, it has been the WSATF’s intention to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

Judgments

The WSATF has won 43 lawsuits in eight different counties, totaling over $195,000 in judgments for staff who have been assaulted:

 

After our first successful litigations, we were told, “Well, you can't get blood out of a turnip.”

So we did. Shortly after winning our first lawsuits in Monroe County, the WSATF began garnishment procedures against offender’s general bank accounts.

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A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words



Clallam Bay Correctional Officers Collect Funds from Assultive Inmate's Account
In July, 2011 Correctional Officers Ryan Siegler (left) and Chris White were ambushed by I/M Eggers, an inmate serving life without parole. While the county did not prosecute the offender, both officers had their day in court. With the assistance from the WSATF, and after a trial in Clallam County District Court, both officers were awarded a settlement of $5,039.00. The Task Force aided the staff members in successfully removing over $10,000 from Inmate Eggers' Trust Account.




Sgt. Jimmie Fletcher from Monroe Correctional Complex receives a check from WSATF’s Keith Rapp for over $500.00 that was garnished from an offender who assaulted him in September of 2009.
This was a partial payment for a judgment issued in the Snohomish County court that exceeded $5,000.00.


Monroe Correctional Sergeant Collects Funds from Assaultive Inmate

On March 21st 2007 Sergeant Ronny Pempeit was attacked by Inmate Steven Smith at the Monroe Correctional Complex Special Offender Center. Due to his injuries Ronny required surgery and was off of work for several months. With the help of the Washington Staff Assault task Force ^TM a lawsuit was filed in Snohomish County District Court.

In March of last year Sgt. Pempeit was awarded a judgment of $5,029.00 for his assault. With the assistance of the WSATF and their staff attorney, Ronny got paid. The Department of Corrections froze Inmate Smith’s entire bank account with the exception of $10.00 so that he would not be considered indigent. DOC then issued a check to the sergeant for the balance of the inmate’s account.

Since our first civil lawsuit against an inmate went to trial last year, the WSATF has helped eighteen staff members to file and win cases in five different counties.

County prosecutors may not be filing charges against inmates who assault staff members; the Washington Staff Assault Task Force ^TM does.

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Swift Justice

● On January 16, 2009 a Walla Walla County Judge ordered that an inmate incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary pay $4,032.40 to a Correctional Sergeant that he assaulted 10 weeks earlier.

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● On March 13, 2009 a Judge in Snohomish County ordered that two inmates pay over $5000.00 in judgments to two Monroe Correctional Staff who were assaulted in different incidents.

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