For purposes of this chapter, the following words have the following meanings:
- (1) "Aggravating factors" are circumstances that elevate a low level violation to a high level violation as defined by department policy.
- (2) "Appeals panel" means three reviewing staff designated by the secretary with the authority to review offender appeals of department findings and imposed sanctions.
- (3) "Business day" means Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, except for holidays observed by the state of Washington.
- (4) "Community corrections officer" means community corrections officer as defined by RCW 9.94A.030.
- (5) "Community custody" means community custody as defined by RCW 9.94A.030.
- (6) "Department" means the department of corrections.
- (7) "Ex parte communication" means any predisposition communication between the hearing officer and a party or other individual on behalf of that party regarding the department hearing and the merits of the matter without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.
- (8) "Hearing officer" means an employee of the department authorized to conduct department hearings.
- (9) "Hearings administrator" means the administrator of the hearings unit of the department.
- (10) "Mitigating factors" are circumstances that may warrant a reduced violation response.
- (11) "Offender" means any person in the custody of or subject to the jurisdiction of the department.
- (12) "Partial confinement" means partial confinement as defined by RCW 9.94A.030.
- (13) "Total confinement" means total confinement as defined by RCW 9.94A.030.
- (14) "Violation" means willful noncompliance with a court-ordered or department-imposed condition, requirement or instruction. High-level and low-level violations are defined per department policy.
- (15) "Violation process" means the process by which the court or the department addresses one or more alleged violations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 72.01.090. WSR 19-19-044, § 137-104-020, filed 9/12/19, effective 10/13/19. WSR 07-08-082, § 137-104-020, filed 4/2/07, effective 5/3/07. WSR 03-16-072, § 137-104-020, filed 8/4/03, effective 9/4/03. WSR 01-04-044, § 137-104-020, filed 2/1/01, effective 3/1/01.]