RCW 72.02.200

There shall be units known as reception and classification centers which, subject to the rules and regulations of the department, shall be charged with the function of receiving and classifying all persons committed or transferred to the institution, taking into consideration age, type of crime for which committed, physical condition, behavior, attitude and prospects for reformation for the purposes of confinement and treatment of offenders convicted of offenses punishable by imprisonment, except offenders convicted of crime and sentenced to death.