Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC)
SCCC hosts more SPP programs than any other facility. Those programs include an extensive Beekeeping Program , Foundations in Gardening, Foundations in Composting , Peer Facilitation Training, SPP’s Workshop Series , a Prairie Ecological Conservation Nursery Program , and is a pilot site for Garden to Kitchen. In addition to these SPP-led programs, DOC-led programs include service dog training, extensive gardens, and a multitude of programs giving back to the local community.
A gardener and an SPP coordinator talk about the conservation nursery at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Photo by Shauna Bittle.
Facility Highlights
Beekeeping
Program Highlights:
8 hives; 43 Beginners and 30 Apprentice Level beekeepers graduated. Built new Langstroth Long hive, donated nearly 3 gallons of honey.
Partners:
Washington State Beekeepers Association
Foundations in Composting Curriculum
Program Highlights:
This 2-credit class started its first cohort in Fall 2024. Since then, the program has graduated more than 20 students.
Foundations in Gardening Curriculum
Program Highlights:
This 4-credit college course has had 11 students graduate in 2025.
Garden to Kitchen
Program Highlights:
In 2025, 4,367 pounds of food was sent to the facility kitchen to be enjoyed by incarcerated individuals.
Partners:
WA Dept of Health
Peer Facilitation Training
Program Highlights:
In 2025, SPP launched its newest training series as a pilot. Many students and experienced facilitators participated in the creation, editing and final testing of this program. 13 incarcerated individuals completed this course with a certificate.
Prairie Ecological Conservation Nursery
Program Highlights:
Technicians now earn up to 18 college credits for this program; In 2025, this program contributed tens of thousands seedlings to JBLM, Olympic Nation Forest, and the Taylor Checkerspot Butterfly Program. Seedlings included oak, plantain, prunella, wild strawberries, and several other native plant species.
Partners:
Center for Natural Lands Management, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Zoo, Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, Friends of Puget Prairies, and Wolf Haven International
SPP Workshop Series
Program Highlights:
Monthly workshops provided to incarcerated individuals focused on a variety of topics including composting, tree top ecology, nature drawing, and indigenous practices.
Partners:
Guest experts from nonprofits, agencies, business, etc
Bears Behind Bars
Program Highlights:
Over 480 bears were sewn together and donated to multiple charities and organizations. Stuffed animals help soothe mostly children who have just experienced trauma.
Partners:
Aberdeen Fire Station, Montesano High School, Aberdeen Police Department, Ocean Shores Fire Dept., Ocean Shores Knights of Columbus, Union Gospel Mission, Family Promise of Grays Harbor, and others
Bicycle Repair
Certified Flagging Class
Program Highlights:
In 2025, 20 individuals graduated with their flagging certificate.
Partners:
Washington State Dept of Transportation
Certified Peer Support Specialist Training
Program Highlights:
One 80-hour class was held in 2025 with 24 passing participants bringing a total of 76 total certified Peer Support Specialists available for their fellow incarcerated peers.
Partners:
Washington State Health Care Authority
Flower Gardens, Boxes, Baskets
Program Highlights:
Flowers gardens throughout the grounds. Two more beds were added in 2025 to the Family Visiting Houses.
Freedom Tails
Gardens and greenhouses
Program Highlights:
25,000 ft2 of gardens harvested 24,925 pounds of produce, donated 22,779 pounds to food banks, and contributed 2,146 pounds to the facility kitchen.
Partners:
Coastal Harvest Food Bank, Harvest Now
House Plants
Program Highlights:
In 2025, SCCC donated 4 flats of live plants including aloe vera, geraniums, mints and other herbs.
Partners:
Coastal Harvest Food Bank
Large-scale Composting
Program Highlights:
Diverted 229,402 pounds of food and waste, producing 13,273 yards of compost.
Lifer’s Garden
Program Highlights:
5,000 ft2 garden tended by Lifers, growing produce and ornamental flowers. This garden donated 1,986 pounds to food banks.
Partners:
Coastal Harvest Food Bank, Harvest Now
Pollinator Plantings
Program Highlights:
Pollinator plants in every garden and next to greenhouses; new garden adjacent to bee hives.
Service Dogs for Veterans
Program Highlights:
Out of 24 dogs that came into the program in 2025, 8 graduated and were place with people to serve.
Partners:
Brigadoon Service Dogs
Shine from the Inside
Program Highlights:
Total funds raised in 2025 exceeded $25,500 and donated to the collaborating partners.
Partners:
Amara Family Org, Family Promise of Grays Harbor, After School All-Stars of Puget Sound, YMCA Grays Harbor, Union Gospel Mission, Washington State Fatherhoods Council, Giving Tree
Skill Builder Unit Looming Class
Program Highlights:
This program made and donated 180 hats, 2 blankets, and 2 scarves.
Partners:
Connections, A Center for Healthy Families
Sustainability Channel
Program Highlights:
Currently seeking potential television channels to be utilized by SCCC for Washington Way, sustainability, events, etc.
Toy Time
Program Highlights:
Incarcerated individuals made and donated 431 toys to Connections in 2025.
Partners:
Connections, A Center for Healthy Families
Violence Prevention
Program Highlights:
Daybreak Stars Indian Cultural Center entertained qualifying incarcerated individuals with a comedy show in Feb 2025.
Partners:
Daybreak Stars
Waste Sorting & Recycling
Program Highlights:
Diverted 198 tons of metals, cardboard, paper, and plastics to recycling in past year.
Water Catchment
Program Highlights:
Water catchment at each living unit (for living unit gardens) and at greenhouse with a 3,210 gallons capacity.
Together, we imagine what’s possible
Sustainability thrives on community. Be part of a unique collaboration that bridges
education, environmental justice, and rehabilitation in real, tangible ways.
Once a year, SPP reports on all things sustainable happening in Washington State Prisons.