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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Disabled Sex Offender Lawsuit Against Washington State On Hold

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Disability Rights Washington announced Thursday that it will delay the filing of a lawsuit against the state of Washington on behalf of mentally disabled sex offenders on McNeil Island at the request of the state.

The delay will give the two sides time to meet to see if they can find a solution that does not involve litigation.

The pending lawsuit alleges that cognitively impaired residents of Washington’s Special Commitment Centerare languishing in “back-wards” of the facility. The Department of Social and Health Services says it has requested money in the next state budget to create new programs to better serve those residents.

The SCC is a treatment facility that houses sexually violent predators who’ve been civilly committed after completing their prison sentences.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."