Reichert ‘outraged’ by Ridgway’s transfer to Colorado prison

Published 10:13 am Monday, September 7, 2015

For the Reporter

U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Wash., District 8, issued the following statement after the Washington State Department of Corrections transferred Gary Ridgway, the Green River serial killer who terrorized Washington residents for two decades, to a Colorado prison, allowing him more freedoms, including a job and interaction with the general population:

“I am incensed and outraged on behalf of the victim’s families, the task force detectives, patrol officers, scientists, hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their lives to bring this monster to justice and all law abiding citizens. These hardworking dedicated servants spent 20 years of their lives devoted to stopping Gary Ridgway from committing more crimes and solving those he did. It is unbelievable and absolutely intolerable that the Washington State Department of Corrections determined that because Gary Ridgway, this country’s most notorious serial killer who confessed to 49 murders, was such a model inmate, he was relocated to a Colorado prison at a cost of 20k for a private jet to transport him, so he can now socially interact with others and get a job. This is another example of murderers in Washington state not being treated appropriately for the heinous crimes they have been found guilty of. Ridgway should feel fortunate to spend the remainder of his life in solitary confinement.”