Ahtanum View Corrections Center

ahtanum view corrections center

2009 S 64th Ave [Driving Directions]
Yakima, Washington 98903
(509) 573-6333

Superintendent: Jane Parnell

The Ahtanum View Corrections Center (AVCC) is located in a rural setting, approximately six miles west of downtown Yakima. The 130 bed facility is co-located with the Ahtanum View Work Release on approximately 7.5 acres. The Work Release Center has been part of the Yakima Community for over 25 years, and the Minimum Security Prison Facility opened its doors to staff and offenders in July 1997.

Visiting an Offender

Important Notice for Visitors

Beginning September 4, 2009 all prisons in Washington State are taking extra precautions to lower the risk of influenza and other illnesses entering our facilities. Because of the unique nature of prisons and the special risks posed by the spread of illnesses we will deny entrance to visitors who have flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of flu include: fever or chills and either cough or sore throat. Additional symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Visitors who display these symptoms will be denied for that day and visiting may resume after the person has been symptom-free for 24 hours. This measure is necessary to prevent the virus' spread and to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff and offenders - especially those in high-risk categories.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

H1N1 Precautions

Due to the recent spread of the novel H1N1, or swine flu, virus the Department of Corrections encourages visitors who have flu symptoms to stay home. These symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough and fever.

Please remember that the best way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is by practicing the following precautions:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze;
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people;
  • If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

These are the same precautions that should be taken to stop transmitting all influenza viruses.

Sending a Quarterly Package?

Holiday 2009 Package Information

Updates have been made to 450.120 Packages for Offenders and is the policy that outlines quarterly gift packages. Please note there have been significant changes to the quarterly gift package guidelines effective March 1, 2009.

Take the time to review the DOC Policy 440.000, Personal Property for Offenders before sending items to offenders. Personal property items purchased by family and friends are not authorized, except as allowed in a Quarterly Package. Quarterly Gift packages may include new shoes only.

Books are NOT considered property. Books are considered publications (mail) and are authorized as long as they arrive directly from any publishing company (like Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Borders, etc.) and meet the guidelines per DOC Policy 450.100, Mail for Offenders.

Facility History

AVCC, the first correctional facility of its kind in Washington State, houses the aged, medically challenged and disabled offenders who are not able to program at larger correctional facilities. This minimum custody facility focuses on offenders becoming independent and self-sufficient so they can be law abiding and productive when transitioned to the community.

Programs

AVCC contracts with Walla Walla Community College to provide education services to the offenders. The onsite instructor is teaching Adult Basic Education and Information Technology classes directed primarily for our special needs population.

Offenders assist in the day-to-day operation of the facility. AVCC on-site support jobs include custodial, recycling, food service, unit porters, laundry, warehouse, barber, clerks, offender assistant program, medical porter and plant maintenance.

Our Multi-Purpose Building contains a half court basketball area, exercise equipment, barbershop, hobby craft area, a recreation staff office and an equipment room. The yard provides an area for outdoor sport tournaments including horseshoes, bocce-ball and basketball (on the outdoors basketball court in the yard). There is also a track around the inner parameter of the yard. The focus is to provide appropriate and pro-social leisure time activities for all offenders. We help them become self-directed and motivated to a healthier lifestyle.

The Special Needs Program is designated to help the offender identify what he will need to have in place to transition to the community successfully. Many of our offenders have special needs and are introduced to community resources such as: Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social and Health Services, Veterans Administration, etc.

Correctional Industries Programs

The Correctional Industries Program at AVCC includes a flatgoods sewing shop and the facility laundry. The laundry employs 2 offenders and is responsible for the majority of offender laundry and staff uniforms. The flatgoods sewing shop employs up to 17 offenders. They produce offender laundry bags, DNR shirts, robes, coveralls and vests. They also produce vests for staff and custom items for other agencies.

Community Involvement

A Facility Chaplain is responsible for coordinating all religious programming through community based volunteers. He focuses on bringing volunteers into our facility, with volunteers from almost every faith group in the community being active with the offender population. A volunteer clergy support team is available to the offender population during times of grief, end of life issues, depression, etc.

The Facility Chaplain serves as the Community Partnership Program Coordinator (CPPC) in addition to his religious coordinating responsibilities. As CPPC he oversees volunteers who help in the process of transitioning of offenders back into the community. They also help facilitate self-help support groups.

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