Washington Corrections Center (WCC)
WCC hosts a wide variety of SPP programs in their Sustainable Operations Lab (SPL). As a leader in composting statewide, WCC’s SPL program includes the small composting piles, vermiculture, bokashi treatment, chickens, and has experimented with Black Soldier Flies. The Foundations in Composting Course and Composting Manuals were co-created with experts at WCC. Compost is used throughout facility gardens which grow produce and flowers to donate to community organizations or use on site. The SPL also hosts the Tribal Sons Garden, which grows culturally significant plants for local tribes and incarcerated tribal members. SPP is partnering with the Tribal Sons to pilot new programs involving nature and culture.
Since 2013, WCCW has hosted a prairie plant nursery, one of three in WA prisons. Supported by partners from Evergreen and natural resource agencies, technicians cultivated native paintbrush (Castilleja) in deep, narrow containers that encourage the root system needed to survive out-planting. Photo by Ricky Osborne.
Facility Highlights
Beekeeping
Program Highlights:
13 new beginner level and 7 advanced beekeepers received their certificates in 2025. The program has 5 strong hives.
Partners:
Washington State Beekeepers Association
Foundations in Composting
Program Highlights:
This curriculum was co-developed at WCC with members of the SPL crew. September 2025 saw 10 graduates complete the program.
Prairie Ecological Conservation Nursery
Program Highlights:
In 2025, WCC added an estimated 1.38 acres of property to expand the Prairie Ecological Conservation Nursery and graduated three students.
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, Friends of Puget Prairies, and Wolf Haven International
Bokashi
Program Highlights:
Bokashi is used to stabilize food waste before processing it by feeding to chickens to worms.
Chicken Program
Program Highlights:
WCC has 2 flocks for a total of 61 chickens. Chickens contribute to the food waste reduction by consuming kitchen scraps and soil amendment through their droppings.
Partners:
College
Construction Trades Apprenticeship Preparation (CTAP)
Program Highlights:
WCC has established a close collaboration with in construction projects. This approach provides students with hands-on experiences. The class constructed a shed with 4 garage ports to accommodate JD tractors, equipment, and riding mowers.
Partners:
Centralia College
Flower Gardens, Boxes, and Baskets
Program Highlights:
A total of 7,044 flowering plants were successfully distributed around the facility and 24 baskets donated.
Partners:
Gethsemane Ministries
Gardens and Greenhouses
Program Highlights:
The success of this program continues to increase interest for collaboration. Hope Garden harvested 41,322 lbs. while Greenhouse #2 and #3 produced 9, 590 lbs. of food in 2025. Nearly 80% was donated to the community and the rest was used in the facility kitchen.
Partners:
Thurston County Food Bank, The Hood Canal Food Bank, Matlock Community Center, Harvest Now, Gethsemane Ministries, Kokua Services, Kitchen for the Homeless, Catholic Community Services, and WIC
Houseplants
Program Highlights:
Plants in all shared and staff areas, provided and maintained by Grounds Maintenance crew.
Partners:
Hood Canal Food Bank, Thurston County Food Bank, Spell-E-Bration with Sound Learning, and Squamish Tribe
Large-scale Composting
Program Highlights:
The program uses bokashi, worms, chickens, static piles, black soldier flies, and an in-vessel system to turn all waste into compost. In 2025, WCC diverted 614,956 lbs. of waste, creating 307.5 cubic yards of compost.
Plant Starts
Program Highlights:
In 2025, WCC donated 1,900 vegetable seeds to local tribes. Additionally,7,369 various vegetable seedling and 5,000 onion starts were provided to those in need throughout Thurston and Mason counties.
Partners:
Thurston County Food Bank, Construction Trades Apprenticeship Preparation (CTAP), SBL, Squaxin Tribe Food Bank, Skokomish Tribe Food Bank.
Vermiculture
Program Highlights:
Vermiculture is has been a successful method of reducing food waste.
Waste sorting & Recycling
Program Highlights:
All cardboard is shredded at the facility and reused in all garden areas and planters for beautification.
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.