McNeil Island Corrections Center

mcneil island

35 Settler Street [Getting to McNeil Island]
Post Office Box 881000
Steilacoom, WA 98388-0900
(253) 588-5281

Superintendent: Ron Van Boening

McNeil Island Corrections Center (MICC) is located 2.8 miles from Steilacoom in southern Puget Sound. It is reached by a 20-minute boat ride on one of the facility's passenger vessels. The main facility houses medium-custody offenders in five living units and a segregation unit. It is located on approximately 89 acres and is within walking distance of the island passenger dock. Also located on McNeil Island is the Special Commitment Center, which is operated by the Department of Social and Health Services.

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.

This facility had additional MICC specific information.

Getting to McNeil Island


Programs

Seminars are offered on preparing for release.

Correctional Industries Programs

MICC has 222 Class II Industries positions and approximately 900 additional jobs throughout the facility and island. These positions include food service workers, maintenance workers, fire crew members, barbers, recreation aides, teacher's aides, library assistants, laundry workers, clerks, janitors, carpenters, painters, welders, plumbers, electricians and steam fitters.More about CI.

Community Involvement

Ongoing community partnerships and projects include the Angel Bear Program, Bicycle Project, Chambers of Commerce, Clothing Donations, Community Advisory Board, Community Tours, Giving Tree Project, Hats and Scarves Program, Read to Me Daddy Program, Toys for Tots Project and the Family Fatherhood Program. Additionally, over 700 volunteers provide a variety of quality programs and services, including religious, self-help, 12-step, recreation and educational programs.

Facility History

In 1976, the U.S. government made a decision to close the federal Penitentiary that had operated on McNeil Island since 1875. The state of Washington, which needed more inmate bed space, initiated efforts to take control of the prison. In 1981, the state signed a lease agreement allowing it to use the Penitentiary, and later that year the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) moved the first state inmates into the newly renamed McNeil Island Corrections Center. In 1984, the island was officially deeded to the state of Washington. A new deed to McNeil was issued in 1996 from the Department of Justice.

More McNeil Island History

 

This facility is accredited ACA logo

 

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