Washington State Department of Corrections

06/18/2026

Horsing Around in Prison 🐴 Thanks to HeartStrides Therapeutic Horsemanship, equine therapy is supporting healing at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. Interactions with horses can help individuals build emotional awareness, regulation, and trust. For many of these women, the usual sounds of prison melted away as the horses greeted them with a sense of tranquility and calmness.

Initiatives like this support our commitment to trauma-informed and gender-responsive care — both for those who are incarcerated and for staff working in high-stress environments. This session was made possible through a community donation to HeartStrides.

Read more: https://doc.wa.gov/news/2026/horsing-around-prison-equine-therapy-supports-trauma-informed-healing-wccw

06/16/2026

Navigating a Fresh Start 🧭 Reentry can be a daunting journey, and DOC's Reentry Navigators play a crucial role in helping individuals prepare for life beyond incarceration. From teaching new technology to lending a sympathetic ear, Reentry Navigators bridge the gap between prison and the community.

It's more than just assistance – it's a pathway to stability and a fresh start.

06/15/2026

Incarcerated individuals at the Washington Corrections Center helped support Adopt-A-Pet of Shelton Washington's 20th annual fundraiser, donating plants, handmade items, and hand-drawn portraits of adoptable dogs! Thanks to generous donations like these, more than $13,000 was raised for the non-profit organization. 🐾

AAP is a no-kill dog shelter in rural Mason County, run fully by volunteers – including several DOC staff! Support and donations like this help keep the non-profit afloat, while also providing incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to give back and contribute to the local community.

06/12/2026

More Than Skin Deep: Tattoo removal pilot program helps incarcerated women remove marks of trauma. ❤️‍🩹 For many justice-involved women, tattoos can carry the imprint of difficult experiences – like gang affiliations, human trafficking, unstable environments, and barriers to employment. Thanks to a partnership with Lissè Medical Aesthetics, these women are erasing painful reminders of the past and reclaiming a sense of control over their bodies.

Read more about the pilot program: https://doc.wa.gov/news/2026/more-skin-deep-tattoo-removal-pilot-helps-incarcerated-remove-marks-trauma

06/11/2026

DOC and the Sustainability in Prisons Project will be featured in the documentary “How to Live on Earth” hosted by Benedict Cumberbatch. Look for it on YouTube later this year! 👀🐢

For now, check out the trailer:

Welcome to the world's greatest how-to video. Presented by Benedi...

06/10/2026

Reentry center residents in Spokane partnered with the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to clear access roads in the Brewer Mountain area. 🪓🪵🪚 Eight residents and two staff from Brownstone Reentry Center spent the day removing downed trees, limbs, debris, and overgrown brush for ADA accessibility and to maintain viewing platforms and hunting platforms for ADA permit holders. This outing is part of our Washington Way programming, and it brought staff and residents together on a new level – marking a successful partnership that benefits the reentry residents, staff, and Washingtonians!

06/09/2026

⭐ Raising the Bar: Staff Spotlight ⭐ Four Community Corrections Officers were recognized for their quick action in a medical emergency. Kent CCOs Erik Branham and Tyler Hollick were returning to the office when they saw a disabled vehicle that had jumped a curb. Noticing the driver was unconscious and barely breathing, they contacted 911. While waiting for medics, the CCOs provided first aid and administered Narcan. Kent CCO Michael Flood and Renton CCO Robert Cook also arrived and administered additional Narcan. Once medics came and took over, the driver regained consciousness and was transported to the hospital. Thank you to these CCOs for going above and beyond the call of duty!

06/04/2026

Did you catch us this morning on Good Morning America? They featured the golf program at Cedar Creek Corrections Center and what it means for the incarcerated men who are learning valuable lessons and skills beyond the game of golf.

Watch the segment here: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/133581930

Special thanks to Michael Strahan! ⛳️

06/01/2026

From writing computer codes on paper inside the Monroe Correctional Complex to founding his own tech company, Victor Sauceda’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of prison education and community mentorship.

Today, as the CEO of Victory Code, Victor is using his experience to bridge the digital literacy gap for underserved communities across the country. Read how he transitioned from the prison classroom to the tech sector: https://doc.wa.gov/news/2026/defying-odds-part-3-victor-saucedas-journey-prison-classroom-tech-founder

05/28/2026

Visiting a loved one in a prison or reentry center can be costly, especially for visitors who have to travel a significant distance. To help ease this burden, we established the Lodging & Transportation Assistance Program (LTAP), which provides an allowance for eligible visitors. We recently made changes to the program, and we want to hear from you! Join our virtual feedback session on June 4 from 6-7 p.m., where you can connect directly with DOC staff to learn more and get your questions answered. Additionally, take our online survey now through June 12 to answer a few questions and share your experiences.

Learn more and get the links to the survey and virtual meeting by going to: https://doc.wa.gov/news/2026/ltap-feedback-opportunities