A large number of Washington prisoners face delayed releases. Why?
![caption: Columbia Legal Services has filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington seeking the early release of some inmates to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak.](https://kuow-prod.imgix.net/store/51d50094e38402e389ea217ff641c03e.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&fit=clip&crop=faces&auto=format&w=924&h=634)
Columbia Legal Services has filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington seeking the early release of some inmates to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak.
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Washington residents convicted and sentenced to prison for a crime know the length of time they're supposed to serve. That doesn't always mean they know when they'll be released.
New reporting by InvestigateWest suggests one-third of the approximately five thousand people released last year from state prisons experienced delayed release dates.
Journalist Paul Kiefer says, "the delays can go on for months or years."
KUOW's Kim Malcolm interviewed Kiefer about his reporting.
Listen to the interview by clicking the play button above.