Washington began working for the Department of Correction in 1977 as an adult probation and parole officer. He became an intensive officer in 1994, and was quickly promoted to chief probation officer that same year.

A graduate of Oxford High School and Wake Forest College, Washington and his wife, Isabel, have two children. He is on the Board of Directors for the Granville Medical Center, a deacon in the Oxford Baptist Church, and active in many civic groups such as the local historical society.