Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9 · Chapter 9.94
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.94.010 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Whenever two or more inmates of a correctional institution assemble for any purpose, and act in such a manner as to disturb the good order of the institution and contrary to the commands of the officers of the institution, by the use of force or violence, or the threat thereof, and whether acting in concert or not, they shall be guilty of prison riot.
(2) Every inmate of a correctional institution who is guilty of prison riot or of voluntarily participating therein by being present at, or by instigating, aiding, or abetting the same, is guilty of a class B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional institution for not less than one year nor more than ten years, which shall be in addition to the sentence being served.
[ 2003 c 53 s 53; 1995 c 314 s 1; 1955 c 241 s 1.]

Notes:

Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1956–2025 · leading case: State v. Morgan, 562 P.3d 360 (Wash. 2025).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
State v. Morgan, 562 P.3d 360 (Wash. 2025). “2d 1374 (1991) (alteration in original) (quoting RCW 9.94.010(2)). In Davison, we rejected the view that the statute must be strictly construed in favor of defendants, insisting on an 7 State v.”
State v. Davis, 294 P.2d 934 (Wash. 1956). “RCW 9.94.010, 9.94.020. “The holding of hostages” is purportedly defined and the penalty fixed in § 3 of the act.”
State Of Washington, V. Adnel Kenjar (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 7× “Kenjar also alleged ineffective assistance of counsel and trial court evidentiary errors. On April 25, 2025, the governor signed into law a bill that retroactively changed the definition of “correctional institution” in the prison riot context, expressly excluding “juvenile…”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Vega, 800 P.2d 849 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). “The crime of prison riot is codified at RCW 9.94.010, which provides: "Whenever two or more inmates of a state penal institution assemble for any purpose, and act in such a manner as to disturb the good order of such institution and contrary to the commands of the officers of…”
State of Washington, Resp/Cross-App v. M.V., App/Cross-Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 5× “58853-6-II the statutory maximum sentence for the offense of prison riot, which under RCW 9.94.010 is 10 years; or (2) the highest adult standard range sentence for prison riot, which under RCW 9.”
Pers. Restraint Petition Of Devon J Scollard (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “Rule 651 prohibits inmates from “inciting others to riot, as defined in RCW 9.94.010.” RCW 9.94.010(1) defines a prison riot as Whenever two or more inmates of a correctional institution assemble for any purpose, and act in such a manner as to disturb the good order of the…”
State Of Washington, V. Jose Beltran Rodriguez (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 2× “The State charged Rodriguez with prison riot under RCW 9.94.010. Rodriguez was convicted and sentenced to one year and one day.”
State v. McFarland (Wash. 2017). “" RCW 9.94.010. Consistent with the SRA, a court "may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence range for an offense if it finds, considering the purpose of [the SRA], that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.”
State Of Washington v. Darin Vance (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “Consequently, we hold that the trial court adequately considered the RCW 9.94.010 factors and therefore, engaged in the analysis that RCW 9.”
State v. McFarland (Wash. 2017). “" RCW 9.94.010. Consistent with the SRA, a court "may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence range for an offense if it finds, considering the purpose of [the SRA], that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.”
State Of Washington, V. Curtis D. Mcdougall (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “” RCW 9.94.010. Consistent with the SRA, a court “may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence range for an offense if it finds, considering the purpose of [the SRA], that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9.94.010(1) — 4 cases
Pers. Restraint Petition Of Devon J Scollard (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). “Rule 651 prohibits inmates from “inciting others to riot, as defined in RCW 9.94.010.” RCW 9.94.010(1) defines a prison riot as Whenever two or more inmates of a correctional institution assemble for any purpose, and act in such a manner as to disturb the good order of the…”
State of Washington, Resp/Cross-App v. M.V., App/Cross-Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “58853-6-II the statutory maximum sentence for the offense of prison riot, which under RCW 9.94.010 is 10 years; or (2) the highest adult standard range sentence for prison riot, which under RCW 9.”
State Of Washington, V. Jose Beltran Rodriguez (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “The State charged Rodriguez with prison riot under RCW 9.94.010. Rodriguez was convicted and sentenced to one year and one day.”
State Of Washington, V. Adnel Kenjar (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “Kenjar also alleged ineffective assistance of counsel and trial court evidentiary errors. On April 25, 2025, the governor signed into law a bill that retroactively changed the definition of “correctional institution” in the prison riot context, expressly excluding “juvenile…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9.94.010(2) — 2 cases
State v. Morgan, 562 P.3d 360 (Wash. 2025). “2d 1374 (1991) (alteration in original) (quoting RCW 9.94.010(2)). In Davison, we rejected the view that the statute must be strictly construed in favor of defendants, insisting on an 7 State v.”
State of Washington, Resp/Cross-App v. M.V., App/Cross-Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “58853-6-II the statutory maximum sentence for the offense of prison riot, which under RCW 9.94.010 is 10 years; or (2) the highest adult standard range sentence for prison riot, which under RCW 9.”
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