Dawson v. Hearing Committee

The sole issue raised by this appeal is whether disciplinary hearings in our state prisons are subject to judicial review under the administrative procedures act RCW 34.04 adopted in 1959. We hold such hearings lie outside the scope and intent of the APA, and are therefore not subject to its provisions.

Appellant Danny Brooks came before the Disciplinary Hearing Committee at the Washington State Penitentiary, where he is a resident inmate, on charges of possessing knives, marijuana, and a large amount of cash. The Hearing Committee found him guilty and imposed as a sanction 30 days in…