Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)
| Program | Program Partners | Highlights – December 2024 |
| Beekeeping | Millers Homestead, West Plains Beekeepers Association, WASBA | In 2023, 3 healthy hives taken care of by incarcerated journeyman level beekeepers |
| Gardens: Main | Master Gardeners | 2,431 pounds of produce was grown and used in the facility’s kitchen |
| Gardens: Minimum | Second Harvest Food Bank, Master Gardeners | Grew and donated over 500 pumpkins to the community |
| Diversity Garden | Rows of native herbs (lavender, sage, and sweet grass) blessed by local Native American elder to be used in Native American spiritual services | |
| Flower gardens | Throughout the prison for human and wildlife well-being | |
| Pollinator forage and habitat | Millers Homestead | Pollinator-friendly plantings throughout the main & minimum areas: flowers, herbs, pussy willow. Large woody debris (log!) and shrubby habitat in pond area |
| Sustainable Business Solutions | Team of four supporting sustainability programs with data tracking and mapping (produce grown, # from garden to kitchen, soil types) | |
| Large-scale composting | Main garden has large compost pile for food waste. AHCC plans to expand the program in 2024. | |
| Waste sorting & recycling | Waste Management | Technicians receive comprehensive on-the-job training provided by DOC staff. AHCC’s Enviro Drum is now operational. |
| Worm farm: Minimum | Master Composters | In AHCC’s greenhouse’s main garden, they use worm composting to manage waste. In 2023, they composted 280 pounds of food waste from our kitchen. Additionally, they produced 580 gallons of worm tea, which they used to provide nutrition to all the gardens at AHCC. Currently, they have two large worm bins, each with two sides. |
| Computers 4 Kids | Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, WA Department of Enterprise Services | Refurbished 2,703 computers for schools in 2023, plus 13,544 to surplus. Technicians refurbished an additional 23,970 computers. Incarcerated technicians learn basic diagnostics and can test for certification, plus learn office skills (Excel, Access) and shipping skills (e.g., forklift experience). |
| Pawsitive dog training – prison program | Diamonds in the Ruff, SpokAnimal, Spokane Humane Society | This program restarted in 2024. |
| Firewood donation | SNAP Spokane | Crews prepared approximately 370 cords to deliver to SNAP clients in 2023. DNR provides wildland fire trainings and prison staff provide firewood and chipper trainings |
| Nature Imagery | Incarcerated individuals in maximum security can opt to watch nature imagery; also offered by mental health staff during times of mental distress |
Articles about AHCC
2024
2019
Learning about gentleness from honeybees
2018
First Journeyman Beekeepers Have Graduated From AHCC!
Caring about people, caring about place
Astrobiology for the Incarcerated – Washington
2017
Roots of Success Gains Momentum at Airway Heights
2016
Creative Illustrations for Monarch Butterfly Conservation
AHCC Roots of Success Graduation
Saving Resources at Airway Heights Corrections Center
Airway Heights Abuzz with Beekeeping
All snaps! Airway Heights amazing firewood program