Video Archive | Washington State Department of Corrections

2025
2024
2023

2025

April

5/21/2025 | Our People: The Heart of Our Mission

Corrections work takes many forms, from correctional officers and community supervision staff to counselors, healthcare providers, maintenance crews, clerical teams, and so many more.

4/30/2025 | Hope: The Promise of a Second Chance

As Second Chance Month comes to a close, we reflect on the power of hope, the foundation that allows growth, change, and healing to happen.

4/16/2025 | Hope, Opportunity and a Path Forward

Each April, we recognize Second Chance Month as a time to shine a light on the importance of successful reentry for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration.

March

3/12/2025 | New Freedom Graduation: A Journey of Transformation

The New Freedom program at Monroe Correctional Complex recently celebrated the graduation of participants who have dedicated themselves to breaking free from gang life. This milestone is a story of personal growth, healing, and transformation.

February

2/13/2025 | A Day in the Life of Community Corrections Staff

Community Corrections Officers (CCOs) and Corrections Specialists (CSs) with the Washington State Department of Corrections play a critical role in maintaining public safety and supporting individuals under community supervision.

January

1/15/2025 | The Nation's First DOC Owned and Operated Mobile Dental Clinic Unveiled in Washington State

The Washington State Department of Corrections has received the first-ever DOC owned and operated mobile dental clinic for incarcerated individuals in the US.

2024

November

11/6/2024 | Preparing for a New Start: Mock Interviews at Airway Heights Correctional Center

At Airway Heights Correctional Center, a powerful program is preparing incarcerated individuals for life beyond prison walls through mock interviews.

October

10/9/2024 | Driving Change: How the Rules of Golf Are the Rules of Life

Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, Washington, is home to an inventive new initiative — the first-ever staff led golf program in a Washington state correctional facility and one of few in the nation.

August

8/21/2024 | Optical Lab at Airway Heights Corrections Center: A Second Chance to Serve the Community

The Optical Lab at Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) is a shining example of rehabilitation and community service within the prison system.

July

7/24/2024 | Recognizing Community Corrections

In celebration of National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week (PPPS Week), we are honored to recognize the dedicated Community Corrections Officers of the Washington State Department of Corrections Community Corrections Division.

7/10/2024 | The Return of Juneteenth Celebrations

After many years hiatus, the Juneteenth celebrations have made a triumphant return to prison facilities across Washington State.

May

5/15/2024 | Breaking the Cycle: How Washington State's Housing Specialists are Reducing Recidivism

In Washington state, the Department of Corrections is making strides to reduce recidivism through housing assistance programs facilitated by housing specialists.

5/1/2024 | National Nurses Month: Making a Difference

As we celebrate National Nurses Month, it is vital to shine a spotlight on a special group of healthcare professionals: correctional nurses.

April

4/25/2024 | Reflecting on Second Chance Month

As April draws to a close, so too does Second Chance Month. This time was used as a period of reflection and action for criminal justice organizations and the agencies they partner with.

4/10/2024 | Washington's Way Forward: Reentry Centers Reimagined

The Wenatchee Valley Reentry Center, inaugurated in September 2023, marked a significant milestone in Washington state's approach to rehabilitation and community integration.

4/3/2024 | Embracing Second Chances

Second Chance Month serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of redemption and the importance of providing opportunities for individuals who have completed their sentences to reintegrate into society.

March

3/13/2024 | Servicing the Soul

The Mobility Service Dog Training Program pairs incarcerated individuals with young dogs, creating a unique bond that goes beyond prison walls.

2023

11/15/2023 | Graduated Reentry: A Path Forward: The Graduated Reentry Program (GRE) is a program within the Department of Corrections that aims to allow for more normalization for incarcerated individuals in their release process.
10/18/2023 | PRESS RELEASE: DOC Takes Next Step Towards Reducing the Use of Solitary Confinement: TUMWATER – Earlier this year, Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Cheryl Strange pledged to reduce the use of solitary confinement in Washington state prisons by 90% over the next five years.
9/27/2023 | Sustainability in Prisons Project Celebrates 20 Years of Sustainable Change: The Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) celebrated a significant milestone as they marked its 20th anniversary of pioneering environmental and correctional reform.
8/23/2023 | Nurturing Bonds Behind Bars: Washington State's Residential Parenting Program: Washington State Department of Corrections' Residential Parenting Program (RPP) reshapes the lives of incarcerated mothers and their babies.
8/17/2023 | Beekeeping: A Sustainability in Prisons Project: In an innovative approach to rehabilitation, prisons around Washington State have supported honeybee programs that offer incarcerated individuals a unique opportunity to learn new skills and to contribute positively to society.
8/9/2023 | Concerts for Hope: Washington Prisons Hosts Classical Concerts: Concerts for Hope, a nonprofit led by musician and composer Eric Genuis, embarked on a transformative journey to uplift the spirits of those residing within Washington's prisons.
7/12/2023 | Embracing Culture Within Prisons: Washington State Department of Corrections recently organized a series of family-friendly events within the correctional facilities across the state to commemorate Asian Pacific Islander Month.
7/5/2023 | Crafting Confidence: Incarcerated Individual Designed Conference Table Empowers Rehabilitation: Correctional Industries is transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals through rehabilitation programs that foster skill-building, confidence, and a path to a brighter future.
6/14/2023 | The IF Project: The Question...: “If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here, what would it have been?”
5/31/2023 | Correctional Nurse's Share Their Story: Approximately 460 nurses provide the majority of medical care needed for the individuals incarcerated in Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities.
5/24/2023 | Patient Centered Medical Home: The Evolution of Healthcare in Prisons: The Department of Corrections is excited to celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) pilot project.
5/3/2023 | Thanking Correctional Nurses: Approximately 460 nurses provide the majority of medical care needed for the individuals incarcerated in Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities.
4/12/2023 | Thinking for a Change: Encouraging Positive Change in Incarcerated Individuals: The Thinking for a Change class is one of many programs the Department of Corrections is using to change the way prisons approach rehabilitation and reentry.
4/5/2023 | Reentry Matters – Celebrating Second Chance Month: Each April, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) celebrates Second Chance Month by reaffirming the importance of helping incarcerated individuals reenter society.
3/15/2023 | Detection Dog Training to Keep Drugs Off Streets: Keeping illegal drugs out of our community is tough task that takes a lot of effort from law enforcement to keep our communities safe.
3/8/2023 | Amend: How We Create Better Neighbors: In 2020, the department partnered with Amend at the University of California San Francisco to bring a health-focused approach to transforming the culture inside Washington's prisons and reentry centers.
1/25/2023 | iCoach: Collaborative Help for the Future: The Department of Corrections is proud to launch a new supervisory model for our Community Corrections Division called iCoach.
1/18/2023 | Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Initiative WADOC: Since Secretary Cheryl Strange joined the Department of Corrections in 2021, one of her top priorities has been developing a human-centered organization that is fair, just, equitable, inclusive and embraces diversity.
1/4/2023 | Amend: Improving Washington's Correctional System for Staff & Incarcerated: Washington State corrections staff are already seeing positive benefits in their lives at work and at home since joining Amend.