SPP Co-Director Steve Sinclair learns about the Taylor's checkerspot program from technician Ahn Tu Nguyen. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Most of the butterflies raised at MCCCW are released in February as caterpillars, so that they can mature and lay eggs in the wild. However, a few stay behind at the prison for breeding, and those get released to the flowers of the springtime prairie. Photo by Seth Dorman.

MCCCW's second class of graduates shows off their Roots of Success certificates. Photo by Bethany Shepler.

MCCCW is really good at hosting special events. In March 2018, 150 incarcerated individuals were avidly engaged with three hours on astrobiology, the study of the origin and development of life on and off earth. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW)

Program	Program Partners	Highlights as of December 2020
Roots of Success	Roots of Success	Successful class in 2019; seeking new instructors
Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly program	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Oregon Zoo	Program continues to set records: ~5,900 caterpillars were released in March; 29 education sessions were held, and 3 participants awarded certificates (1500 hours)
Beekeeping	West Sound Beekeepers Association, Washington State Beekeepers Association	No classes 2019; graduated 20 incarcerated Beginners previously; this year, harvested 39 pounds of honey; carpentry program built the covers for the hives.
Environmental careers workshops	WSDOT and Dept. of Ecology	Program temporarily suspended due to COVID-19; series of 3 workshops educating participants on environmental careers with WSDOT
GRACE (Gardening for Restoration and Conservation Education) Project	Kitsap Conservation District, Central Kitsap Foodbank	Kitsap Conservation District 1/4 acre garden tended by MCCCW crew, produced more than 12,000 lbs in first season and donated to 4 food banks; 200 lbs fresh produce to the prison kitchen; mid-October, 350 lbs pumpkins for kids to pick their own at the pumpkin patch.
Vegetable gardens	North Mason Food Bank	720 ft² of garden space grew ~1,100 lbs. of produce: 520 lbs. to the food bank and 572 lbs. for the prison kitchen.
Flower gardens		Flower gardens for every living unit; continued cultivation of existing flower beds, front area revamped with increased use of pollinator-friendly wildflowers
Conservation crews	Kitsap Conservation District, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Jefferson Land Trust, WSDOT, WDFW, Suquamish Tribe Fisheries.	Program temporarily suspended due to COVID-19; planting project, invasive weed removal, creek and estuary flood control.
Small-scale composting		23 tons solid waste composted in past year
Waste sorting & recycling		Nearly 58 tons to recycling in past year
Water use reduction & catchment		30,000 gallons catchment in ponds; low water use per person, 68 gallons/incarcerated resident/day in past year
Pawsitive Prison Project	Kitsap Humane Society	22 cats in the 4th year of the program
Plant and animal habitat		20 bird boxes, 2 bird feeders
House plants		All living units have houseplants and numerous staff have plants in offices

Articles about MCCCW

2019

Amazing GRACE: Garden Grows Vegetables, Hope

First Graduates in 4 Years!

2018

Susan Christopher reflects on her experience raising endangered butterflies in prison

Gardening for a good cause in Kitsap County

Mission Creek butterfly technicians visit Taylor’s checkerspot habitat

Astrobiology for the Incarcerated – Washington

2017

Bees at MCCCW – Photo Gallery

Celebrating another flight season for butterfly technicians

Building the pool of environmental instructors for the women’s prisons

Taylor’s checkerspot wake up and release

Excellent Student and Teacher

2016

The Bridge to Evergreen

Healing people and the environment

Tales of Transformation

Mission Creek Checkerspot Spotlight

2015

The Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Program Releases Another Butterfly

Roots of Success Marathon Instructor Training, Part Two: Day Four

Flight of the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterflies

More Food for the Very Hunger Caterpillars at MCCCW

Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Rearing

Roots of Success Marathon Instructor Training, Part Two: Day Four

Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Rearing

More Food for the Very Hungry Caterpillars at MCCCW

2014

The Butterflies Get Their Own Computer

Counting the Birds instead of counting the days until summer at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women

SPP Says Goodbye and Best Wishes to Dedicated Butterfly Technician

2013

Butterflies from MCCCW released with the help of Attorney General’s office attorneys

Filmmaker visits two prisons

Another successful rearing season for the Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies at Mission Creek

High diapause survival and a successful release for the butterfly program at MCCCW

2012

Butterfly Techs at Mission Creek Helping with the Evergreen Environmental Observation Network

SPP Butterfly Internship Experience

Celebrating a Successful Inaugural Season for the Butterfly Program at Mission Creek

Newly arrived Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies thriving at MCCCW

2011

Inmate Technicians Attend Annual Species Recovery Conferences

December Butterfly Update

Butterfly Rearing Commences at Mission Creek

SPP Launches New Conservation Program at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women