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 2024, Washington’s 11 prisons reported around 162 sustainability-related programs and named 151 partner organizations across the state. In 2025, programs continue to grow, adapt, and thrive. Scroll through the tables that follow on this page for a summary snapshot of all programs statewide as of the end of 2024, or click a facility on the bulleted list for its highlights as of the end of 2024. Note that due to partner reporting capacity constraints, some programs and partnerships may not be represented here.
A Western Pond turtle getting its daily weight taken. Cedar Creek technicians provide the turtles with daily care while the turtles heal from a shell disease. Photo by SPP Staff.
Tri-Cities Toys for Tots, Shriners Hospital for Children
Teddy bears from reclaimed materials
Hospitals, API events held at CRCC, ARC of Tri-Cities, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Ridge Dogs
Adam County Pet Rescue, The Pit Bull Pen
Service dogs for veterans
Brigadoon Service Dogs
Gardens: Minimum
Food pantries
Bee Garden
Composting: Minimum
Food pantries
(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.
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
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
Training dogs for veterans
House plants
Large-scale composting
Waste sorting & recycling
Gardening in Intensive Management Unit (IMU)
Chicken program
Horticulture student Celeste Nathan prepares to plant tomato starts at WCCW. Photo by Ricky Osborne.
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
Tacoma Community College, Washington Master Beekeepers
Community College Horticulture
Tacoma Community College, WSU Extension, Pierce County (Master Gardeners)
Sisters of Charity: quilts, fabric crafts, wildlife rescue
Community members donate supplies; LIHI and multiple non-profits/charities receive donations
Waste sorting & recycling
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
MSU
Dog Program
Walla Walla Humane Society
MSU
Community crew
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
