Grounds Specialist Benri Deanon describes trends in water savings and food production at Washington Corrections Center. Photo by Ricky Osborne. SPP butterfly program coordinator Keegan Curry watches an adult butterfly--just released from the program--resting on a prairie flower. Photo by Mary Linders.The Roots of Success program is an environmental course taught by incarcerated instructors. In this photo, VIPs line up to congratulate graduates of a Stafford Creek Corrections Center class. Photo by Bethany Shepler. Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)'s Sustainable Practices Lab encompasses an astonishing 23 programs. They refurbish and create thousands of items for state and non-profit use, and save DOC at least $200,000 annually.
Programs
In a given year over our 20-year history, Washington’s 12 prisons have reported nearly 200 sustainability-related programs and named partner organizations across the state. In 2022, some programs remained suspended due to COVID-19, while other new initiatives were under development. Scroll through the tables that follow on this page for a summary snapshot of all programs statewide as of the end of 2022, or click a facility on the bulleted list for its highlights as of the end of 2020. Note that due to partner reporting capacity constraints, some programs and partnerships may not be represented here.
In February 2019, AHCC beekeepers and associates celebrated the prison bee club’s impressive accomplishments. In just a few years, incarcerated beekeepers and their partners have built an excellent program: productive, transformative, and sustainable. Photo by Kay Heinrich.
(Left to right) Jessica Stevens, Nicole Alexander, Cynthia Fetterly, and Alexis Coleman pose in front of their original artwork. Ms. Stevens and Ms. Christopher painted this banner to welcome Girl Scouts Beyond Bars to the butterfly lab for a day of activities, including a unique Taylor’s checkerspot merit badge designed by Ms. Alexander. Photo by Keegan Curry.
Northwest District Beekeepers Association, Washington State Beekeepers Association
TRU
Gardens
TRU
Community Aide Coalition: quilting, crochet, textile arts (suspended due to COVID)
Over the Rainbow Fabrics, Dolly Haakenson, and clothing and textile advisors of Snohomish County donate materials; crafts donated to Interfaith Family Shelter, Westlake Shelter, Hope Crew, Swedish, Evergreen, Seattle Children’s and Providence Hospitals, Rainbow Center, Evergreen Hospice, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Summit Assistance Dogs, Holy Rosary Church, Rotary First Harvest, East Count and Monroe Senior Center and many others.
Olycap, Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction, Lake Quinault Fire Department, OCC Community Crews (Department of Natural Resources)
Community Crew
DNR and others
Forestry
DNR and others
Ben Asaeli was one of many gardeners who asked to have their portrait taken in 2019. The photos were mainly for the gardeners’ families, but a few wanted to share on the SPP website as well. Photo by Marisa Pushee.
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
Gardening curriculum development
MCC, Institute for Applied Ecology, TX Dept of Corrections, Oregon Food Bank
In 2019, WCC hosted two prison-garden enthusiasts from France; this photo was taken as they were seeing the expansive gardens for the first time. Photo by Ricky Osborne.
Center for Natural Lands Management, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Oregon Zoo, Friends of Puget Prairies, Wolf Haven International
Beekeeping, “Intensive Bee Management Unit”
Olympia Beekeepers Association, Washington State Beekeepers Association
Gardens and greenhouses
Thurston County Food Bank, The Saint’s Pantry Food Bank, Matlock Community Church, Hoodsport Food Bank
Flower gardens, boxes, baskets
Potted plants and plant starts
Kiwanis Hoodsport; Saints Pantry Food Bank
Construction: bus stops, tiny homes, Neighborhood Pantries, bird houses
Centralia College, Kiwanis Hoodsport, Hood Canal School District
CNLM, JBLM, WA DNR, WDFW, 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
Gardens and greenhouses
Tacoma Community College, WSU Extension, Pierce County
Pollinator plantings
Beekeeping
Mother Earth Farm, Little Eoarth Farm, Tacoma Community College, Washington Master Beekeepers
Community College Horticulture
Tacoma Community College, WSU Extension, Pierce County (Master Gardeners)
Mother Earth Farm, offsite farm crew (suspended due to COVID)
Mother Earth Farm, Emergency Food Network, Tacoma Community College
Sisters of Charity: quilts, fabric crafts, wildlife rescue (suspended due to COVID)
Community members donate supplies; LIHI and multiple non-profits/charities receive donations
Waste sorting & recycling (suspended due to COVID)
Large-scale composting (suspended due to COVID)
Anthony Ralls in the sewing shop at the Sustainable Practice Lab smiles as he describes his work (Washington State Penitentiary). Photo by Ricky Osborne.
West Plain Beekeepers, Washington State Beekeepers Association
MSU
Flower gardens
MSU
Rental garden boxes (suspended due to COVID)
MSU
Dog Program (suspended due to COVID)
Walla Walla Humane Society
MSU
Community crew (suspended due to COVID)
City/County of Walla Walla, Veterans Administration, Port of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Fairgrounds, Walla Walla Landfill, Walla Walla County Private Properties, and local Cities and/or Counties such as Waitsburg, Dayton, College Place, Prescott
