At the Correctional Industries’ Textile Factory, located in the Airway Heights Corrections Center in Spokane County, you will see there are professional uniforms being produced for various state agencies.
Prison systems have been in existence for centuries, evolving from isolated colonies or dungeons to buildings with bars, and from inhumane chain gangs, to the current concept of mentoring and supporting those in our criminal justice system.
While typically December is the month for hosting family members to holiday events at Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, Wash., 2020 was an unusual year.
With teams of individuals across the state highly trained in emergency response, the Department of Corrections frequently deploys employees with a wide range of skills from a variety of divisions to assist in incidents and law enforcement task forces both in-state and across the nation.
Roughly once a week, Department of Corrections' Chief Staff Psychologist Dr. Phil Gibson takes the agency's headquarters Emergency Operations Center staff to Hawaii for approximately five minutes.
Roughly once a week, Department of Corrections' Chief Staff Psychologist Dr. Phil Gibson takes the agency's headquarters Emergency Operations Center staff to Hawaii for approximately five minutes.
TACOMA – Local organizations that help shelter people who are homeless and survivors of domestic violence in Puget Sound received thousands of dollars in donations, thanks to incarcerated individuals from correctional facilities across Washington.
The Washington State Department of Corrections recently took its talent acquisition efforts online as the department worked to fill more than 100 vital correctional officer, healthcare and other jobs at facilities statewide.
With society’s supply of hand sanitizer extremely low in early March due to COVID-19, Washington State Department of Corrections' Correctional Industries (CI) decided to help people's safety by beginning to make hand sanitizer.
TUMWATER – While parts of Washington move into Phase II of the Governor’s Safe Start plan, the state’s food banks are reporting greater needs — all while facing a 70 percent drop in donations, according to the WA Food Fund.
Once incarcerated, parents are able to stay connected with their families through visits and phone calls but there are fewer ways for parents to stay connected in the learning development of their child.
The technology services available in Washington’s state correctional facilities provide incarcerated individuals with a way to keep in contact with families and friends.
Our mission has been expanded to put an emphasis on growth and the human aspect of our work. This aligns with our vision of working together for safer communities, which we do by positively impacting lives of those who transition through the correctional spectrum.
LITTLEROCK – With the start of school right around the corner, Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, hosted a back to school event for the children of incarcerated individuals.
For the past three years, the Wiccan, Druid, Asatru, and Pagan religious groups at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center have gathered together every May for a communal celebration of spring.
BELFAIR – Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women held its annual Relay for Life event in June 2019 and raised about $2,500 for the American Cancer Society, the event sponsor, to aid in the search for a cure.
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – After 21 weeks a group of men at Airway Heights Corrections Center is now celebrating their graduation from The Redemption Project course.
TUMWATER – For the past year, the Department of Corrections has teamed with the Washington State Department of Transportation to provide those releasing into the community a chance to work for the state.
Robert Blum started working at Pine Lodge Corrections Center in 1977. During his fifteen years with the facility, he was recognized for being Pine Lodge’s Correctional Officer of the Year.
GIG HARBOR – Tasty thin mints and tagalongs cookies covered the tables at Washington Corrections Center for Women. The occasion was for a monthly Girl Scouts Beyond Bars meeting.
Department of Corrections employees will be donning uniforms of t-shirts and running shoes this week as part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraiser for Special Olympics Washington.
For the past few years, Correctional Industries (CI) has given those approaching their release date the chance to practice their interview skills, while also networking with employers during a mock interview event.
Thanks to a partnership between the Washington Department of Licensing and the incarcerated men at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, select state licensing offices will have kiosks and backdrops at each office counter for more efficient customer service.
Every year since 1993, the American Nurses Association has declared the week of May 6-12 National Nurses Week to give communities and organizations all over the nation the chance to commemorate the immense contributions and impact of the four million currently registered nurses in America.
YACOLT – Hairspray, bobby pins, and lipstick filled the tables of Larch Corrections Center’s visiting room as incarcerated dads and their daughters learned how to style hair and do makeup at the annual father/daughter event.
ABERDEEN – Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14th of February, but at Stafford Creek Corrections Center, the day was celebrated one day later during a bimonthly Family Fun Night.
ABERDEEN – Hundreds of children experiencing hardships received brand new toys for Christmas, thanks to some incarcerated men at Stafford Creek Corrections Center.
Seven women incarcerated at Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor visited the Executive Residence December 3, 2018 to decorate it for its annual holiday tours.
Incarcerated individuals at Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, Washington gathered together with their families in early December to celebrate the holidays during the annual Father and Child Holiday Gift Exchange event.
VANCOUVER, Wash. – When Angela Vargas went to prison 15 years ago for theft and murder conspiracy charges, she never thought her time behind bars would lead to the job of her dreams.
For over 10 years, the Community Partners for Transition Solutions' Summer Institute has brought together reentry professionals focused on learning more about evidence-based practices and programs.
SULTAN – Healthy competition among staff caused Community Corrections Field Administrator Kelly Miller to work outside of her office, in the field, as part of a community work crew.
MONROE – During May's National Correctional Officers & Employees Week, Monroe Correctional Complex held a memorial lane dedication ceremony in remembrance of two of their own who lost their lives in the line of duty. Plant Engineer Benjamin Marshall and Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl dedicated their lives to protecting and serving their community.
WENATCHEE – Having someone who believes in you can hugely impact how well you succeed in life. It’s a philosophy Abel Andrade employs in work and in life.
SHELTON – Washington Corrections Center in Shelton is the intake and receiving facility for incarcerated males in the Washington state correctional system, leading to multiple transports arriving every day.
AUBURN – After successfully graduating from a rehabilitation program in November 2015, Megan Veenhuizen was determined to change her life. Something as simple as pizza was the catalyst for that change.
As a former architect, Farshid Mirzaei (pronounced FAR-sheed Meer-ZAY) designed houses, office buildings, and managed architectural projects. He never dreamed one day he would wind up in prison. And love it.
For many, the thought of going to prison can feel without hope. While looking at the rate of return to correctional institutions, former Deputy Secretary Jody Becker and Performance Manager Bryan Irwin wanted to seek out input from people who are directly impacted by incarceration.
An organization offering aid to areas devastated by last year’s deadly hurricanes is receiving thousands of dollars in donations, thanks to inmates in Washington state.
Not all of Santa’s elves are in the North Pole. Some are making toys at Olympic Corrections Center (OCC) in Forks, Wash. Incarcerated maintenance workers at the facility spend some of their time working on projects in the facility’s woodshop.
Close to 150 inmates and staff packed the Monroe Correctional Complex Twin Rivers Unit visitation room for the Native American Heritage Celebration Event.
After almost five years of planning, Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, Wash. hosted their first ever 5K race. Thirty participants, which included inmates in the running club and staff, braved the early morning gray to take part in the event.
Incarcerated individuals in the Washington State Department of Corrections’ custody have various programs available in the correctional facilities. A relatively new one is yoga.
Approximately 70 inmates at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women in Belfair, Washington, packed the facility’s gymnasium during an August weekend for the Annual Women of Faith Conference.
People experiencing hunger in Bremerton who can’t easily get to a grocery store or food bank now have a place they can get those supplies, thanks to a group of inmates in a prison nearly 50 miles away.
For 15 weeks this spring, students from Whitman College had a unique opportunity to share a classroom with inmates at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington.
The best food in Clallam County might just be made in the bakery at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center. In 2011, Dayle Lee was looking for something a little more hands-on than the culinary job he was working. His wife saw an ad in The Seattle Times and, after applying for the position, he was hired to start from scratch the bakery program at Clallam Bay.
Close to 3,000 inmates in the state of Washington will finish their sentence in the next 24 months. To help that transition back into society, Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton recently hosted a reentry fair.
Father’s Day is a day known for family gatherings and at Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC), families are brought in to celebrate the holiday. The facility hosted its annual Father’s Day fishing derby at their recreation yard prior to Father’s Day.
The Strength in Families program at the Washington State Department of Corrections is profiled with perspectives from staff and incarcerated fathers, who will be returning to their children and families. This video was produced by Kylie Juggert and Whitney Bradshaw, Jean Kjellstrand, College of Education/ University of Oregon, and Torsten Kjellstrand, College of Journalism/University of Oregon.
The first annual Mason County Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting Special Olympics Washington took place June 1, 2017. Law enforcement from around the county took part in this event including Department of Corrections staff from Washington Corrections Center in Shelton. More information is available at masoncountysheriff.us.
When Stephen Gonczi got out of the military after 24 years of dedicated service, he was still looking to contribute by helping fellow veterans. A career led him to the Washington Corrections Center but his service led him to volunteering with incarcerated veterans, which led him to becoming the recipient of the agency's 2017 Community Service Award.
One of the most interesting art galleries you will find is at a location the public can't easily visit. It's in the K-Unit at Airway Heights Corrections Center near Spokane.
The provision of healthcare and essential medical practices to the incarcerated population is a necessary and fundamental responsibility of a state correctional system. he Washington State Department of Corrections is looking for physicians who have a strong interest in making a difference in the lives of others.
Randy van Zandt explains his procedural justice analogy on the importance of reinforcement, “To affect a change in behavior we really need to think of reinforcement as a tool and consider the frequency of its use."
With the cut of a ribbon, Pallet Shelter LLC and the Washington State Department of Corrections celebrated the completion of the first portable shelters in their micro housing project.
01/11/2017 | Careers in Corrections: Information Technology (Also available on Facebook)
The Washington State Department of Corrections is looking for information technology professionals to work in a variety of work settings who have a strong interest in making a difference in the lives of others while being provided the opportunity to make use of their technology skills and training.
Hundreds of people visit the Governor’s mansion during December to get a glimpse of the residence adorned with twinkling lights, elaborate floral arrangements and larger-than-life wreaths.
12/13/2016 | Careers in Corrections: Community Corrections Officer (Also available on Facebook)
The Washington State Department of Corrections is looking for corrections professionals to work in our community field offices across the state who have a strong interest in making a difference in the lives and communities of Washington.
"Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone so you can be a role model," says Hilary Williams. "Such as encouraging the best in others and working toward a common goal as part of a fantastic team."
Inmates working for Correctional Industries at Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC) donated chess boards made from scraps of discarded wood in the furniture factory to Detective Cookie's Chess Club for youth in Rainier Valley.
In honor of Veterans’ Day, staff at the Washington State Department of Corrections’ Headquarters in Tumwater, Wash. participated in the 22 Pushup Challenge to bring awareness to veteran suicide prevention.
The Department of Corrections is looking for dentistry professionals who have a strong interest in making a difference in the lives of others while practicing the full scope of their dentistry training and skills in state correctional facilities.
El Departamento Correccional del Estado de Washington busca a profesionales del ramo correccional para trabajar en las 12 instalaciones correccionales que tenemos a través del estado.
The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is looking for nurses and healthcare professionals to work in our 12 correctional facilities across the state.
In a partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, inmates are helping to fight wildfires burning across the state. Inmate crews also operate kitchen and dining facilities at fire camps, feeding hundreds of firefighters daily at each camp.
Millions of worms are steadily munching through 10,000 pounds of leftover food each month at the Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC), northeast of Seattle.
Education programs play a key role in helping change inmate behavior by providing them with opportunities to learn current job skills as well as earn diplomas and certificates.
An inmate in Washington State Penitentiary's (WSP) Intensive Management Unit participated in a program called Motivating Offender Change from 2012 to 2013.
An inmate in Washington State Penitentiary's (WSP) Intensive Management Unit participated in a program called Motivating Offender Change from 2012 to 2013.
Motivational Interviewing has been one of the newer techniques used by Washington State Department of Corrections staff in the four prison pilot projects and in Community Corrections.
In one of the toughest places in the Washington state prison system, the Intensive Management Unit at Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) in Walla Walla.
The Washington State Department of Corrections is focusing on changing inmate behavior by ensuring that evidence-based programs and promising practices are targeted on the highest-risk and highest-needs inmates.
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